MAKOplasty® may be right for you! If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from painful early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee, total knee replacement may NOT be your optimal treatment solution. Now available at Florida Hospital Waterman, MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing is an innovative option that spares healthy bone and surrounding tissue, resulting in rapid relief from pain, rapid recovery, and rapid return to daily activities. Osteoarthiritis shouldn’t slow you down. If you have knee pain or stiffness with activity and have not responded to anti-inflammatory medication or other treatments, you may be a good candidate for the MAKOplasty® procedure. Call 352.253.3388 for more information or to find a seminar near you.
celebrate the holidays in sty
Leave the cooking to us. call in advance We’ll have a complete holiday dinner hot & ready for you and your family! Dinner for six includes: Thick-sliced turkey, honey baked ham, or a combo of both; homemade sage dressing and giblet gravy; whipped potatoes or baked sweeet potoato casserole with marshmallows; italian green beans or candied dill carrots; and dinner rolls.
All for just
$
79.95
Also available: a 25lb. Fully-cooked Turkey for $65.95, a 6lb. HoneyBaked Ham for $42.95, or a 15lb. Prime Rib for $159.95
Let us provide free round-trip transportation for you and your group of 30 or more guests. Our 49-passenger bus is available for Sunday Brunch or any evening meal at the Embers.
U.S. HWY. 441 Leesburg |
le with vic’s!
Ring in the new year with leesburg’s largest party at vic’s! no cover, Live entertainment, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight!
352.728.8989 | vicsembers.com
Knowledgeable. Experienced. Effective.
TAVARES
CLERMONT
THE VILLAGES
INVERNESS
205 E. Burleigh Blvd. (Hwy. 441) Tavares, FL 32778 352.343.7400
1795 E. Hwy. 50, Suite B Clermont, FL 34711 352.394.1312
Santa Fe Professional Center 8564 CR 466 The Villages, FL 32159 352.753.2833
508 West Main St. Inverness, FL 34450 352.637.3900
WWW.BCMILLERLAW.COM 1.800.323.1243
AREAS OF PRACTICE
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Trusted by over 480 families since opening in June! Kendra Akers publisher kendra@akersmediagroup.com Doug Akers vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com Jamie Ezra Mark chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Staff on-site 24/7 Day care available Large air-conditioned, indoor play areas State-of-the-art grooming studio Grooming 7 days a week 3 groomers on staff
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237 West 4th Ave. Suite 2 * Mount Dora, FL 32757 * 352-383-3600 We are located in the Arbors & Eyebrows complex at the corner of Alexander and 4th Ave. in Historic Downtown Mount Dora. Open 7 days a week
Jim Gibson executive editor jim@akersmediagroup.com
Steven J. Codraro associate creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com
Tiffany Roach managing editor tiffany@akersmediagroup.com
Cierra Chappell production manager cierra@akersmediagroup.com
James Combs staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com
Josh Clark senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com
Shemir Wiles copy editor/staff writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com
Anthony Casto senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com
Heather Tootle office manager heather@akersmediagroup.com
Caleb Wayne Jensen graphic designer caleb@akersmediagroup.com
Mary Ann DeSantis Pat Jocelyn Heather Pruett contributing writers Tina Morrison administrative assistant tina@akersmediagroup.com
Fred Lopez chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com Aubrey Akers contributing photographers
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*Cooks Tools & Gadgets Galore *Nordic Ware Bundt & Baking Products *Everyday Cooking & Baking Supplies for Everyone *KYOCERA Advanced Ceramic Knives, Lifetime Warranty *Kids Cooking Tools and visit our ‘Kids In the Kitchen’ *LorAnn Gourmet Vanillas, Oils, Bakers Emulsions *PLUS Hard to Find Baking & Cooking Ingredients *Vic Firth & William Bounds: Salt & Pepper Mills *Demo Cooking Class are now available
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find everything — features, photos, and more — with one click at
akersmediagroup.com Lake & Sumter Style, December 2012. Published monthly by Lake Style, LLC, 1450 E. North Blvd, Leesburg, Florida 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2012 by Lake Style, LLC. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Lake Style, LLC. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call (352) 787-4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Special to Lake & Sumter Style” and “Special Advertising Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media Group.
We Carry USA Made Products
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*Gift cards available *Visit us at www.KaDeeKay.com
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Lake & Sumter Style is a member of the following: Leesburg Chamber of Commerce • Sumter Chamber of Commerce • South Lake Chamber of Commerce Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce • Eustis Chamber of Commerce • Tri-County Business Association
Roger and Eileen Peterson Community Bank & Trust of Florida customers for more than 7 years
“…small enough to offer friendly customer service, yet large enough to fulfill the banking needs we desire.”
The moment they walked through the doors of Community Bank and Trust of Florida, Roger and Eileen Peterson felt like part of an extended family. They were introduced to each employee, who greeted them with a friendly smile and a genuine “hello.” Roger and Eileen were treated as real people rather than account numbers. That spectacular welcome made a
lasting impression on Roger and Eileen. They’ve now been faithful customers of the bank for more than seven years. “I like this bank because it is small enough to offer friendly customer service, yet large enough to fulfill the banking needs we desire,” Roger says. “The employees are why we have never considered going to another bank.”
They are also impressed with the bank’s numerous amenities, which include access to more than 1,000 ATM locations, free of charge. Electronic banking provides the Petersons with the convenience of checking balances and paying bills online. “To us, the employees are more than just bankers and tellers; they became our friends,” Roger says.
NOW OPEN! Villages Office
Spruce Creek Office
2285 Parr Drive
11220 SE 179th Place Summerfield
(County Road 466)
The Villages
in the Spruce Creek Plaza
352.259.3070
352.350.2903 www.cbtfl.com
We do what others promise.
at your service AN ULTIMATE SALUTE
TO LOCAL VETERANS
// HOME IS WHERE THE
ART IS // WINES AND
VINES OF BURGUNDY
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akersmediagroup.com Subscriptions: Order a copy of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $24. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of STYLE or HEALTHY LIVING Magazine. Choose both magazines for $36 per year. For more information regarding subscriptions, contact our office at 352.787.4112 or mail your request to: Subscriptions at Akers Media Group, P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749. You can also order online at www. akersmediagroup.com. Change of Address:
If you are a seasonal resident or have moved and need to change your address, please send address change to: Subscriptions at Akers Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749. Email your request to general@ akersmediagroup.com.
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Correspondence: We encourage you to send in letters and comments. Mail your letters to: Editor or Publisher at Akers Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749. Email comments to Jim@ akersmediagroup.com or Kendra@akersmediagroup.com. (Please understand your letters may be published. If you prefer not to be published, mark your correspondence “not for print”). Visit us online: www.akersmediagroup.com Commercial Cleaning Services & Supplies CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
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Each magazine can be viewed online. The website offers a wide variety of services, including blogs, links to our advertisers, and past and current issues.
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D vviid M. Da M. Cam ampi p on onee
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Local Legal Know-How Real Estatee • Businesss • Litigation • Willss • Trusts Truusts • Guardianships Guardianshipss • Probatee • Corporate e • Debtor/Creditorr • Consumer Bankruptcy
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m o c . y e n k c a H e n o i p m a C . w ww
contributors Mary Ann DeSantis After receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Mary Ann DeSantis began her career as a newspaper reporter and photographer before moving into public relations and marketing in Atlanta. She and her husband moved to Florida in 2000, and she began writing for Style publications in 2006. Her writings can be found at www.maryanndesantis.com.
The Gift of Hope awaits.
Pat Jocelyn Pat Jocelyn worked at IBM for twenty-eight years, holding several staff and management positions while teaching management and employee development classes. She has since started a second career in journalism and has won several Florida Press Club awards for her insightful and heartfelt feature writing.
Heather Pruett Heather Pruett is the co-founder of The Loving Kitchen, a next-generation cooking show which promotes family health, tradition, and values through the simple preparation and enjoyment of dinner as a family. She is a graduate of Marshall University with a degree in business management. Heather resides in Mount Dora with her husband, Tim Pruett, and their two beautiful children. Visit www.thelovingkitchen.com for more information.
3130 SW 27th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 • 352.671.3130
www.thevineshospital.com
Mental Health / Substance Abuse / Detox Services 16
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DECEMBER 2012 volume 10 number 2
features
GIFT GUIDE Stressing about finding a gift for a loved one, friend, or co-worker? Well, here is some much-needed help so you can get a jump on your holiday shopping. Use our gift guide and discover stocking stuffers, great budget finds, and unique gifts that can be purchased both locally and online. Written by James Combs
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Living the dream
After winning The CW’s The Next, Eustis-native Michael Ray is ready to take the country music world by storm. He’s living proof hard work and determination can really pay off. Written by Shemir Wiles
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HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
In February, a collection is coming to Lake County that takes a hard look at the realities of the Holocaust, the Nazis’ systematic genocide of more than six million people during World War II. The exhibit has been showcased throughout the world and features postcards, letters, stamps, counterfeit money, and other memorabilia. Written by Shemir Wiles
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departments From the Editor 20 Up Front 24 Social Style 29 Food & Wine 83 What’s Happening 101 Parting Shot 120 on the cover DESIGN: STEVEN J CODRARO PHOTOSHOP: JOSH CLARK PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK©
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from the publisher by Kendra Akers • kendra@akersmediagroup.com
Slow down and smell the holly
So this year I have determined to plan ahead for some quality individual time with each family member.
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This year I have vowed to take time, slow down, and appreciate the wonderful holiday season. It seems as though every year around this time life gets hectic and starts moving full speed ahead. As I plan for family coming to visit and finding that perfect gift for each and every person, the spirit of the holiday somehow ends up pushed aside. Typically, after the holidays have passed and family is heading back home, I tend to have a sense of sadness that it all happened far too quickly. I reflect back on the time spent together and have a desire to do it all again, but at a much slower pace. I also contemplate how nice it would have been to take time and visit with each individual family member. Did I truly hear their answer when in the hectic frenzy I asked, “How are you doing?” So this year I have determined to plan ahead for some quality individual time with each family member. I am committing myself to spend some real quality time with my children, their friends, my sister, dad, and other friends and relatives — and we can’t forget the pups, Myles and Maggie. Also, one of the things I plan to do is make time to visit all the unique shops our downtowns offer across Lake and Sumter counties. We are so blessed to live in a community filled with vibrant downtown privately owned shops and businesses.
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As a matter of fact, we want to share that with you in this month’s issue. We want to remind you that if you are looking for the perfect gift, just read our feature article for information on how you can shop local for all your gifting needs. Anyone can shop at a mall or a big box store for a quick-fix gift item, but if you want something personal that says, “I love you and took my time to find that perfect gift just for you,” nothing says it like shopping at one of our small, locally owned businesses. Lake and Sumter residents are blessed to have so many businesses owned by friends and neighbors… and honestly, the selection for truly personal items is so much better at local businesses. Slow down this year. Take time to enjoy your family and friends and the holiday season, and find that perfect gift for all your loved ones. God bless you all, Merry Christmas
Kendra Akers
from the editor by Jim Gibson • jim@akersmediagroup.com
The winds of change I find this election to be one of the most interesting I have witnessed in my lifetime. I believe the reason for this is that we are living in a country that is changing quicker than sociologists can keep pace with.”
The election is over. About half the country is ecstatic and the other half acts as if it needs an appointment with an Obamacare psychiatrist. The truth is, no matter which way the election results had come in, the emotional results would have been the same. Half the country would have ended up depressed and in bed with a headache. I find this election to be one of the most interesting I have witnessed in my lifetime. I believe the reason for this is that we are living in a country that is changing quicker than sociologists can keep pace with. We are on the cusp of monumental change. We are experiencing the true changing of the guard. The conservative, Christian white bastion (of which I belonged to until recently… no, I am still Christian and white, not just nearly as conservative) is losing the strength in its once-powerful hands. There is a new, younger, idealistic, group of intellectual free-thinkers of all races and beliefs who want to make a change in the world. I applaud them; I was one of them many long hard years ago. I only wish I could impart to them the best of what time has given me. Not the jaded realization that President Obama is simply another politician in a long endless parade of politicians who start out wanting to do what they feel is the right thing, only to fall victim to the machinations of the omnipotent political machine. I want to impart to them
the wariness that comes from watching good men and women with the best of intentions either get corrupted by the system of power and greed that is politics or become rendered impotent when trying to implement change by the horde of corrupt politicians who have taken up permanent residence in Congress. Young Americans… idealistic Americans… intelligent Americans… begin to look for true answers. They don’t lie in electing Democrats and Republicans. They don’t lie in believing in the unyielding blacks and whites of the issues that divide us. They lie in those wonderful gray places found in between. The idealistic world you seek lies in compromise and acceptance and understanding. It lies in a new political party. A party of moderate-thinking individuals who understand that life is more complicated than a one-size-fitsall set of laws that are as unyielding as the brick walls of division they build between us. Whatever happened to wisdom? Whatever happened to common sense and true caring? Whatever happened to sanity? Am I depressed or happy over the outcome of the election? I am saddened. I am saddened that either man won. I want true change. I only wish Mother Teresa of Calcutta had been born American and she was still alive to run because that is the type of character we need to lead our nation and our world. Until next month — hold fast…
Jim Gibson
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GROWING SALON LEADERS ...ONE STUDENT AT A TIME
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EVERY 5 WEEKS! FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY 11915 CR 103 // THE VILLAGES, FL 32162
WWW.THEVILLAGESTSPA.COM
352.753.5511 FACEBOOK.COM/VILLAGESTSPA Licensed By the Florida Commission for Independent Education, Lic. # 3387
up front Here she comes, Miss Leesburg The 26th annual Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant was held October 20th at Leesburg High School. The winners of each age division will represent Leesburg at special events, parades, and community activities throughout the year.
• • • • •
Think outside the living room Think you can leave behind your television or computer for one day to enjoy Florida’s natural beauty? joy a family holiday celebration The second annual WinterFair will allow families to enjoy together while spending time in the outdoors. The event will be held at the Florida Scrubo 9p.m. Jay trailhead in Clermont on December 15th from 11a.m. to Attendees can swap tales around a campfire and enjoy activities such as oldfashioned hayrides, kayaking, and geocaching. They can also watch live demonstrations of woodturning, weaving, spinning, and blacksmithing. Other favorite activities include e. cooking food and roasting marshmallows over an open fire. Visitors may also see a Florida Scrub-Jay, a federally ally threatened species whose population is estimated at fewer than 6,000 today. Bruce and Cathy Brown opened the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail in 2003 to help protect and preserve e the species. For more information, please call 352.429.5566.
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The winners are as follows: Tiny Miss Leesburg: 5-year-old Kierstyn Riley, a kindergarten student at The Villages Elementary School. Little Miss Leesburg: 9-year-old Annelise Baltunis, a fourth-grade student at Leesburg Elementary School. Junior Miss Leesburg: 11-year-old Jenna Croft, a sixth-grade student at Carver Middle School. Teen Miss Leesburg: 13-year-old Landi Hicks, an eighth-grade student at The Villages Charter School. Miss Leesburg: 18-year-old Ashlynne Counts, a senior at The Villages High School.
We know making it easy to find flooring you’ll love. From our convenient displays to our knowledgeable staff, The Floor Shoppe is dedicated to making your buying experience as simple and enjoyable as possible. We invite you to visit our new showroom where you will find only the finest quality flooring and pavers for your home. And if you can’t make it in, our design consultants will bring the samples straight to your front door. Call us for an appointment! · Official flooring supplier to The Villages · Only the best quality products and value · A sumptuous array of colors, finishes and design choices · Friendly, experienced, no-pressure staff · Locally owned and operated for 30 years · Outstanding design and installation services
The Floor Shoppe Family owned & community trusted since 1979
352-748-4811 Wildwood Oaks Business Center | 9815 N. US Hwy 301 | Wildwood Mon – Fri 9:00–5:00, Sat 10:00–2:00
| www.thefloorshoppe.com
up front How sweet it is Many students dream of participating in the arts, but unfortunately lack the necessary funds to do so. That is exactly why Haley Gerig is conducting the inaugural Sweet Treats for a Cause, which will be held January 12th at Lake Receptions from 12:30–4p.m. The event will feature a fashion show fundraiser, an ultimate shopping experience, and a scrumptious dessert bar. Your support will go a long way in helping students enjoy the arts, such as band, fine arts, or drama. Those who would like to donate money can do so by visiting www.sweettreats.eventbrite.com to make a quick and easy payment. For more information, please call 352.552.5467.
Glorious sounds A trip down of Christmas memory lane The ever-popular and talented Florida Lakes Symphony T Orchestra will perform December 6th at St. Patrick Catholic Orch Church in Mount Dora. The concert will feature a beautiful Chur blend of carols and holiday music that will set the tone for th this Christmas season. Attendees are sure to enjoy watching the Mount Dora School of Ballet perform to the watc delightful tunes of The Nutcracker Suite. delig The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra boasts sixty T worldwide performers who have devoted their lives to world music. The late Guy Saint-Clair formed the symphony in musi 2005. Since that time, the orchestra has received national acclaim for its beautiful music and stunning performances. For more information, please contact Audrey Sanders at 352.589.1500.
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The owners of nearly 150 classic, antique, and custom vehicles will offer a glimpse of history as they fill the streets of downtown Eustis with magnificent machinery. Welcome to the Downtown Eustis Cruise-In, which is being held December 29th from 5-8:30p.m. Visitors will take a stroll down memory lane as they view classic Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge vehicles. For the younger generation, the event provides an opportunity to learn about automobiles from yesteryear. Car enthusiasts can also walk the streets of downtown Eustis and discover the unique businesses and restaurants located there, while also enjoying live music and delicious food. For more information, call Wayne Carter at 352.357.8555.
EXPERIENCE THE
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE. TWO OF FLORIDA’S MOST EXPERIENCED CATARACT SURGEONS ARE RIGHT HERE, NEAR YOUR DOORSTEP. Each year, three million Americans have cataract surgery, and locally, those in the know choose the surgeons of Lake Eye. Over the past decade, Drs. Scot Holman and Scott Wehrly have performed thousands of successful, complication-free cataract surgeries, preventing cataract-related blindness and restoring clear, healthy vision to multitudes of satisfied patients. Lake Eye provides world-class surgical experience, training and technology – right here in your neighborhood – for speed, convenience, and peace of mind. ÊÊÊUÊ9 ÕÀÊ > iÊ ÞiÊ` VÌ ÀÊ ÃÊ> Ü>ÞÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ>Ê« iÊV> Ê>Ü>ÞÊ and available 5 days a week. ÊÊÊUÊ/ ÀiiÊÃÌ>Ìi v Ì i >ÀÌÊ V>Ì ÃÊÃiÀÛ }Ê > iÊ Õ ÌÞ]Ê« ÕÃÊ the Santa Fe Surgery Center, which is owned and run by our eye surgeons in The Villages. ÊÊÊUÊ7iÊ vviÀÊÌ iÊ ÃÌÊ>`Û> Vi`ÊÃÕÀ} V> ÊÌiV µÕiÃÊÌ Ê eliminate cataracts and restore crisp vision, including Toric ®, ReSTOR® and TECNIS ® multifocal lens implantation. ÊÊÊUÊ7iÊ>ÀiÊÌ iÊv ÀÃÌÊ ÊÌ iÊÀi} ÊÌ Ê vviÀÊ i -Ý® refractive “bladeless,” stitch-free laser cataract surgery. Talk to our patients and they’ll tell you: Lake Eye is the only choice for a lifetime of healthy vision. See real patient reviews on our website: www.LakeEye.com.
Board-certified ophthalmologists:
SCOT C. HOLMAN, MD and SCOTT R. WEHRLY, MD
TAVARES - 352-343-2020 | LEESBURG - 352-365-2020 | THE VILLAGES - 352-750-2020
www.LakeEye.com |
up front
’Tis the season to talk about Christmas It’s that time of the year when we indulge in delicious cookies, make last-minute shopping trips, proudly decorate our homes, and attend numerous Christmas parties. While downtime seems like a foreign concept this month, we are hoping you can take a minute out of your busy schedule to read the following facts about Christmas.
• • • • • • • • •
Scientists in the U.S. calculate that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to successfully deliver presents to all children’s homes. He would also have to travel at 650 miles a second. There is a town in Indiana named Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho. Approximately 7.6 million Christmas trees are sold each year. 1895 is when people began decorating Christmas trees with electric lights. Residents of Maine built the world’s tallest snowman in 1999. It stood 113 feet tall. The first postage stamp commemorating Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937. J.C. Horsley designed the first Christmas card in 1843. Coca-Cola became the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion. The poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, is known as the “Flower of the Holy Night” in Mexico. Source: http://www.funfactz.com/christmas-facts/
A home for the holidays ’Tis the season to be jolly, and a trip to downtown Leesburg is sure to put you in a jovial mood. The Leesburg Main Street Christmas House, which features more than 50,000 items blended into themed displays and rooms, is open through December 15th. Inside the Christmas house are an array of handmade holiday crafts made by crafters throughout the United States and Canada. Items include Christmas ornaments, nativities, ceramics, wreaths and swags, tree skirts, holiday floral arrangements, clothing, hand-sewn quilts, throw pillows, collectibles and homemade jams, jellies, cookies, and candy. The Christmas House is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4p.m. It is located at 712 W. Main St., in historic downtown Leesburg. For more information, call 352.323.1250.
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social PEOPLE & PARTIES
style
Chalk it up to artistic ability...............Pg. 30 Fair fever...............Pg. 32
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social
style
CHALK IT UP TO ARTISTIC ABILITY LEESBURG — The Leesburg Chalk Art Festival attracted nearly forty artists who used their talent to create chalk art on the streets and sidewalks of downtown Leesburg. Their creations included spaceships, tigers, sea monsters, ballerinas, and movie characters. The event was presented by the Downtown Leesburg Business Association and the awards were presented by Association President Rex Masterman.
First Place DLBA Ron Hawkins and Rex Masterman
PHOTOS BY AUBREY AKERS
Denise Burry
First Place newcomer, Suzanne Zielinski
Jessica Rinne and Jessica Valdez
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First Place Best of Show, Alexis Fulmer, and (not pictured) fellow winner Devon Fulmer
Cindy Mamm and Sandy Tremain
First Place professional Artist, Bob Earl
Cass Womack
BK Lyons and Sara Mullins
Kina and Kelly Jones
Barbara Wensel Severns, Diane Oliva, Amy Paynter, and Rex Masterman
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social
style
FAIR FEVER LAKE RECEPTIONS — Thrilling rides. Cotton candy. Bratwurst. Frozen lemonade. Livestock exhibits. Endless games. Live entertainment. Indeed, attending the Lake County Fair tends to bring out the child in all of us. That was certainly the case for the eighty-five people who attended the Lake County Fair’s annual Kick-Off Party at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora. They enjoyed a wonderful dinner and received a sneak peek into the fair’s upcoming events and highlights.
Brian and T.C Lewis
PHOTOS BY AUBREY AKERS
Todd, Payne, and Angie Luce
Lee and Elaine Staudt
Shelia and Don Blake
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Holly and Matt Newby
Kacey Hobbs
Carrie and Mike Showalter
Gregory Bean
Bea and Frank Paulhamus
Linda and Allen Watts
Jerry and Nan Cobb
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Reach for the
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The STARx Pharmacy compounding team is committed to partnering with your physician in ensuring the best possible outcomes. We work closely with the medical community to stock medications they rely on for personalized therapies. About 70 years ago, nearly all prescriptions were compounded. Then mass production of medications became more prominent and pharmacists primarily dispensed manufactured doses rather than creating formulas as physicians ordered. Now the medical community realizes that one-size-fits-all medications do not work for everyone. Physicians prescribe compounded medications to have a better health outcome for patients. After collaborating with the physician and patient, a compounding pharmacist can:
• Adjust medication strength • Avoid unwanted ingredients, such as dyes, preservatives, lactose, gluten, or sugar • Add flavor to make medications more palatable • Prepare medications in alternate forms. For example, flavored liquids, topical gels or creams, suppositories, and even lollipops could be alternatives for someone who cannot swallow pills. • Recreate medications unavailable due to drug shortages or having been taken off the market.*
STARx Pharmacy is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and maintaining stringent quality control measures to ensure medications are of the highest quality and effectiveness. We follow strict standard operating procedures and are meticulous in our efforts to ensure we produce only the highest-quality medications for our patients. We purchase all ingredients in our prescriptions for compounding use from an FDA-approved distributor. * We can reproduce any discontinued drug that has not been taken off the market for safety reasons by the FDA
“Our commitment to customer service, personalized attention, and the ‘triad’ relationship of doctor, patient, and pharmacist originates from the experience of working in a ‘hometown’ pharmacy where we know our patients by name and are invested in their healthy outcome.” — Bill Gray, R.Ph Pharmacy Director
LEESBURG // 802 East Dixie Avenue // 352.323.9555 www.STARXPHARMACY.com
Personalized medications solutions for better health
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YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE It is that time of year, again. Can you believe it? The holiday season is here, and it is time to choose that perfect gift. Never fear… the Style Holiday Gift Guide is here. Browse our aisles from the convenience of your couch, bed, or easy chair. Merry Christmas!
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The Rafiki Foundation Th This Christmas, you can purchase a unique gift for a loved one while also helping widows and orphaned children in Africa. The Rafiki Foundation, founded twenty-five years ago by Umatilla resident orphan Rosemary Jensen, has built villages in ten African countries equipped with living, educational, and Rosem medical facilities for these women and children. medic In D December, the organization is setting up a shop in downtown Mount Dora and selling items handm handmade by the African widows it serves. These items include purses, jewelry, clothing, toys, baskets, hand-woven rugs, shaws, placemats, and napkins. All money raised from sales will go to the women, hand who earn approximately $200 a year. The purchase of these items will help sustain them financially for seve several months. “T “These products are so well received because they are so unique, artsy, creative, colorful, and affor affordable,” says Ken Long, who serves as an assistant to Jensen. “The money goes to the widows, whic which is important because in many cases they have no rights to the legal estate of their husband whe when he dies. This often leaves them destitute.”
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Peddlers Wagon With the unique blend of scents, sounds, and colors, your senses are stimulated the moment you enter Peddlers Wagon, which is located in downtown Eustis. More than 7,600 square feet of neatly displayed merchandise awaits you, including home décor, floral arrangements, jewelry, candles, garlands, and much more. A special Christmas room with tabletop trees, ornaments, and wreaths will amaze those who love to decorate their homes during the holidays. The company is owned by Kevin and Penny Jenness and their son, Sean. The lifelong Lake County residents opened Peddlers Wagon twenty-six years ago and pride themselves on offering a pleasant, fun shopping experience. For example, they frequently serve guests snacks and refreshments. Perhaps this is why the company was named the Florida Retail Federation’s 2006 Retailer of the Year. “Most people come here because of word-of-mouth, and we even attract many shoppers from outside Lake County,” Penny says. “We are a destination. Shopping here has become a family tradition for many families. With newcomers, you see that look of ‘wow’ on their face when they first enter because they find the building so enchanting.”
Pig Piglet’s Pan Pantry Let’s not forg forget that our four-legged friends love Christmas presents, too! W While your dog cannot make a wish list, you will likely find some something at Piglet’s Pantry that will give your pet the ultimate surpris surprise. Carla Pereira, who has owned the downtown Mount Dora-ba Dora-based company for sixteen years, bakes delicious homemade trea treats such as cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. She also makes dog bon bones that come in numerous flavors, including apple, bacon, blueber blueberry, and sweet potato. “All of our treats are made out of human-grade ingredients,” sa Pereira, who named the company after her first greyhound, says Piglet. “Also, I never add salt or sugar.” While the company is known for its bakery, Pereira also sells unique gift items such as dog stockings, sweaters, jackets, harnesses, and chew toys. Her company is also home to Yappy Hour, which is held on the third Friday of each month from 6–9p.m. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs and socialize with other pet owners. Ten percent of all purchases during that time go to the Leesburg Humane Society.
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Heather’s Therapeutic Massage And Bodywork Buying the perfect gifts for loved ones and organizing that annual Christmas party can lead to stress and anxiety during the holidays. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to give someone the gift of relaxation. Heather Laver, owner of Heather’s Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in downtown Leesburg, sells many gift certificates during Christmas. As a therapeutic massage therapist of eight years, Laver can help her clients relax or rejuvenate with a Swedish massage or help heal tight muscles with a deep tissue massage and sports massage. Local doctors often refer patients who are suffering from backaches, headaches, tennis elbow, hip problems, and rotator cuff issues to her. Laver became a therapeutic massage therapist after seeing how much massage provided relief for her chronically ill father, David Soileau. “For him, massage served an effective way to provide pain management,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field, and since I’m a hands-on person, therapeutic massage therapy was a perfect fit. It is really rewarding to help my clients feel refreshed.”
Russel Stover Candies They say nothing is certain except for death and taxes. Let’s add another one: chocolate always makes a great Christmas gift. Perhaps Steve Bilbruck, store manager of Russell Stover Candies in Wildwood, puts it best. “Chocolate puts everybody in a good mood and puts a smile on their face,” he says. “It is also one of those gifts that you don’t have to worry if the recipient already has some on hand. People cannot get enough chocolate.” One of Russell Stover’s popular Christmas items is the giftwrapped boxes of assorted chocolate, including pecan delight, chocolate-covered cherries, dark chocolate, and French mints. Another popular gift is the candy tins filled with popular Russell Stover candies such as peppermint cream, coconut, and caramel. Patrons can also purchase gift baskets, which range in price from $5 to $125. If you have never visited this store, put it on your to-do shopping list. “The first time people walk in here, their eyes light up because they are amazed when they see aisle after aisle of candy,” Bilbruck says. “They are surprised how big the store really is.”
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Black Widow Ammo And Guns, Inc. Little Ralphie received his much-desired Red Rider BB gun in the 1983 movie A Christmas Story. If your boyfriend or husband has an equal yearning for a firearm, consider shopping at Black Widow Ammo and Guns, Inc. in Umatilla. The store offers an assortment of rifles, shotguns, and handguns bound to please both the avid hunter and passionate recreational shooter. Assault rifles and assault shotguns are also offered for anyone looking for a home defense weapon. You will even find the elusive Russian-made Viper shotgun, which is quite amazing considering there are only 1,000 in the United States. Owner Arnold Jackson says his company is also well known for manufacturing ammunition for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Tavares Police Department, and the Groveland Police Department. If your son or father owns an old gun for which ammunition is no longer in production, Jackson will order the necessary materials to make the ammunition himself. “We are a one-stop shop here,” Jackson says. “If you can’t find ammunition for your gun, want the barrel cut off your shotgun to federal regulations, need to have your gun re-blued, or need a scope for your gun, we can do it all right here.”
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Bacchus Vino Etcetera There has to be someone on your Christmas list who is a wine connoisseur. If so, travel to downtown ntown Clermont and visit Bacchus Vino Etcetera. This fantastic wine shop offers 750 varieties of red and white wines made at wineries throughout the world. According to owner Keith Mullins, one of thee more popular brands of 2012 are the moscato wines, which come from Italy, Israel, Spain, South Africa, a, and Oregon. Mullins encourages wine enthusiasts and newbies alike to visit his store. “Some people aree scared of wine,” he says. “We want to educate people about wine and let them know that it is a fun beverage. They have nothing to fear.” Mullins has worked in the wine industry for forty years and eight years ago opened Bacchus hus Vino ets. Etcetera. He also sells wine-related gifts such as wine racks, wine openers, and wine baskets. “First-time customers are amazed that we have such a large selection of wine in a small all space,” he says. “Then they begin asking questions and seeking guidance. We are always happy to answer any questions they may have.”
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HERE ARE SOME GREAT ONLINE GIFTS YOU CAN PICK UP WITHOUT LEAVING THE CONVENIENCE OF HOME!
8 The Original Beard Hat I know it is Florida, and you can count the number of really cold days we have each year on one hand, but this great little gift from Beardo is a must-have for men and women alike. Available in five delicious colors, The Original Beard Hat, a knitted beanie with detachable beard, is sure to be a hit practically anywhere you go (except maybe your local bank or convenience store). Hanging out with friends at your favorite watering hole? Simply stroke your soft acrylic yarn beard while discussing anything from Kim Kardashian to quantum physics. Your friends will hinge on your every word. Suddenly remember that job interview with Berkshire Hathaway? Down a couple of cups of Joe, tuck the detachable beard securely inside your knitted beanie, and you are instantly transformed into a professional stock trader par excellence. The 5½-inch, one-size-fits-all adjustable beard is a snug fit for everything from a pug to a palomino. At only $34.99 plus shipping, it’s a steal… but you still need to pay for it. Check www.vat19.com.
9 Anti-Theft Lunch Bags Making a good sandwich is an art form. You have to choose exactly the right bread for the right meat, then the extras (lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickle, sprouts, cucumber, green pepper, onion, the list goes on forever), then the condiments (mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish, Miracle Whip, and the list goes on), and then everything must be placed in exactly the proper order and in just the right amounts. Rembrandt would be proud of your creation. And now comes the hard part. Putting your masterpiece in the refrigerator at work and assuring it will still be there when lunchtime comes. First off, what bottom dweller would stoop so low as to snitch a fellow workmate’s lunch? Well, my naïve friend, it seems there are a lot of them out there… so beware. But the answer is here. The anti-theft lunch bag not only keeps freshness sealed in, it keeps food-stealing cretins out. The bag is decorated on the outside so your masterpiece looks more like a Jackson Pollock than an Andrew Wyeth. Perfectly placed discolorations make your lunch look as if it has been sitting there since before Joan Rivers’ first face lift. When lunchtime comes, slip it out from undercover and enjoy. Visit www.instash.com.
10 Players by Daniel Madison Poker is all the rage. Everywhere you look there is a Texas Hold ’em tournament going down. Can’t sleep? Click on the Discovery Channel at 4a.m., and watch the World Poker Tour highlights of the day. These guys and gals are winning millions… So how can you get in on the action? Well, you start off by watching Norm Abrams build a state-of-theart poker table (Discovery Channel at 3a.m.). You then build your own, get four or five semi-wealthy, partly illiterate friends together on a Friday night, and you are in business. Two bags of chips, two cases of beer, twenty Swisher Sweets, and the game is on. So how can you be assured to end up a winner? That is the easy part. You cheat. Players by Daniel Madison is possibly the slyest deck of cardboards to ever come off the press. Every single card in this deck is marked with a unique design that lets you and only you know exactly what card it is. See your pal Fred looking forlorn and calling every bet, just waiting to go all in while holding a pair of aces in the hole? Well, you just fold ’em up and wait for his next bluff a few hands later, drop the hammer, and the night’s pot is yours. It sure beats having to work a 9-to-5… only don’t get caught or that big pot might not cover the cost of X-rays. Feeling lucky? Visit www.instash.com.
11 105-piece Ladies Tool Kit Honey! The sink is leaking again! Want to never hear that during the fourth quarter again? This 105-piece hot pink ladies tool kit ensures that your Mr. Fix-It days are a thing of the past. KIT INCLUDES: • One of those things with a handle that has a flat end on it. • One of those things with a handle that has a cross thingy on the end of it. • A long pointy pair of pliers that can fit easily into a child’s ear. • A regular pair of pliers like the ones she normally uses for a hammer. • A hammer like the one she uses to crush ice in a sandwich bag. There are so many tools here that she will spend a month just figuring out new and bizarre ways to use them. Check out www.catalogfavorites.com.
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STOCK UP ON HOLIDAY CHEER Like a fine wine, Two Old Hags gets better with time! Many excellent wines can be found here, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. So come here and purchase the perfect holiday gift that is never returned.
15% OFF
ALL IN-STOCK WINE
410 W. Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 352.435.9107 twohagswine.com Like us on Facebook!
FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER ONLY
Cash and carry only. Does not apply to special orders. Gift Certificates Available.
Lux Looks for Less Venture to historic downtown Leesburg and discover the Lakefront City’s one and only high-end consignment shop. Another Look Boutique offers designer brand clothing for women and teenagers, as well as high-end accessories. After the holidays, on January 7th, be sure to visit us at our new location across the street at 609 W. Main St. Also, join us for a grand-opening celebration on January 16th at 5p.m.
600 W. Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 352.323.3396
HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!
Polish Your
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Merle Norman at Colony Plaza 313 Colony Blvd., The Villages FL Conveniently located between Publix and Beall’s
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Let our professional staff help you choose a special gift. We have a beautiful selection of accessories, scarves, and jewelry to choose from, as well as unique casual wear for the woman who likes to be noticed. We have gift ideas from candles to classic fashion. Be sure to visit us. Our operating hours: Mon–Fri 10a.m.-5p.m., and Sat Noon–5 p.m.
Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, Willoughby’s has what you need. You will find accents for your home, including lighting, tabletops, furniture, framed art, and wine accessories.
200 W. Fifth Ave. Mt. Dora, FL 32757 352.735.4451
237 West 4th Avenue, Suite 3 Mt. Dora, FL 32757 352.735.8288 willoughbysco.com
20% OFF
4 SEASON CAN’T FINALIZE GIFT IDEA
GET A GIFT CERTIFICATE
PILLOWS Expires 12/24/12
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A TOAST TO SPECIALTY WINES ROOTED IN GREATNESS Home and Garden Treasures is a fun, whimsical, and inspirational gift and garden shop. You will find items such as candles, humorous gifts, hand-blown solar art for lawn and garden, and inspirational bracelets. 430 N Donnelly St. Mount Dora, FL 32757 352.735.4302
At Maggie’s Attic you will find over 450 wines, 250 beers, gift baskets (delivery available), gift certificates, and many unique gifts, which are great for under the tree. In addition, you can gain membership in the Wine Club and World Beer Society or give a membership to the club for the gift that keeps on giving back… as a special treat from Santa. Ho Ho Ho! 237 West 4th Avenue Mount Dora, FL 32757 352.383.5451 maggiesattic.us
FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
PLENTY OF PRESENTS Walking through the front door, your senses will be instantly captured by the pleasant aromas, vibrant colors, and overall beauty of our eclectic, one-of-a-kind shop. As you take in the sights of our festive window dressings and upside-down hanging Christmas trees, be sure to pick up extraordinary gifts for the special people in your life. We offer a variety of local art, exotic furnishings and accents, children’s toys, jewelry, books, and scents from Votivo and Greenleaf. Come in and allow the owner, Debbie Belton, and her fabulous team, Sue, Lori, and Brenda, to help you with all your decorating needs. We are located in downtown Mount Dora on the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Donnelly Street. Our holiday hours are: Monday–Thursday 10a.m.–5:30p.m., Friday and Saturday 10a.m.–8p.m., and Sunday 11a.m.–5p.m. We wish you all Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year.
100 E. 5th Avenue Mount Dora, FL 32757 352.735.4800 matamodesigns.com
HELP SOMEONE PURSUE THEIR LOVE OF THE ARTS BY PURCHASING A GIFT CERTIFICATE. A Step Ahead Performing Arts Academy offers challenging classes designed to help students pursue their passion for performing arts and maximize their talent. This premier academy allows students to learn in a dynamic environment under the leadership of innovative professionals who are at the cutting-edge of performing arts instruction. Classes offered include dance, theatre, music, voice, fitness, and cheer. In addition to gift certificates, the academy has a dance supply store with gifts, apparel and fun stocking stuffers.
3619 CR 466 Oxford, FL 34484 352.330.2272 asaperformingarts.com
DOGGONE DIVERSE You will undoubtedly find the latest in women’s designer clothing for today’s lifestyle, including the unique designs of Joseph Ribkoff and Brighton. Shoppers who visit this charming boutique will also find an equally diverse selection of jewelry, luggage, and handbags.
Uptown Boutique, Downtown Leesburg 601 West Main St. Leesburg, FL 34748 352.326.8090 doggibags.com
Make your holiday WISHES COME TRUE
415 W. Main St. Historic Downtown Leesburg, FL 34748 352.728.0033 -q3 q p 3UN q
COMPLETE KITCHEN REMODEL!
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1000 OFF
WHEN YOU PURCHASE 10 OR MORE CABINETS INSTALLED AND CHOICE OF COUNTERTOPS*
ALL PRODUCTS MADE IN AMERICA LOCATED ON HWY. 301 368 SHOPPING CENTER DR. WILDWOOD, FL 34785 HOURS: MON-FRI 9-5, SAT 9-4
352.539.0220 www.WKandB.com
FREE DOVETAIL DRAWERS AND FULL EXTENSION RUNNERS!
FREE ALL-PLYWOOD CABINETS! FREE GLAZING! Featuring four different countertops: Granite, Quartz, Laminate, and Solid Surface! Our installers are licensed, bonded, and insured. *See store for details. Offer expires December 31, 2012
“The expertise, selection, and personal attention the depots don’t carry!” — Denise Berlin, Designer
GRANITE SALE! SHOWER SALE! PREMIUM QUALITY GRANITE
$
500 OFF $ 750 OFF
NEW GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS*
NEW GRANITE KITCHEN, MASTER, AND GUEST BATH COUNTERTOPS* Come visit our huge 10,000-square-foot showroom and granite yard. Pick your color! We offer one-stop shopping for granite tops, sinks, faucets, and plumbing services to complete your job! Our installers are licensed, bonded, and insured. *See store for details. Offer expires December 31, 2012
JETTA STONE SHOWER WALLS & PAN COMBOS
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100 OFF
COMPLETE SHOWER WALL AND PAN COMBO*
No maintenance! No tile or grout to clean. All glass door style. Over 60 colors of Jetta Stone to choose from! Each shower made locally in Wildwood. Complete installation by licensed, bonded, and insured installers.
*With this ad. See store for details. Offer expires December 31, 2012
With you every step of the way From office to hospital to nursing home and rehab, we follow you through every stage of your care.
Camogliano
INTERNAL MEDICINE LLab abb Dr Draws raw ws PT-INR, Coumadin Checks Ec choocardioogrram m/U Ultrassouundds Echocardiogram/Ultrasounds Men and Women Annual Physicals Dia abeetees SScreening/Glucose creenninng/G Gluucoosee M onnitoorinng Diabetes Monitoring Blood Pressure/Cholesterol Screening/Monitoring Sc chool//Em mplooym ment Physi icals School/Employment Physicals Bone Density Testing EK KG Te estiingg EKG Testing
NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME Proud provider of PUP (Physicians United Plan)
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THE VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL LRMC HOSPITAL LADY LAKE SPECIALITY CARE THE CLUB
352.259.3435 Spanish Springs Medical Plaza 1400 US HWY 441 N. Bldg. 900 Suite 902 The Villages, FL 32159 M-F 8:30-5:30
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This offer is valid from 12/1/2012 until 12/31/2012 & cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers. Excludes watches and any items on consignment or not in stock.
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living the dream WRITTEN BY SHEMIR WILES
PHOTOS © THOMAS NEWTON
When Michael Ray left his hometown of Eustis, he dreamed of making it big in Nashville, Tennessee, as a country music star. Now with a national singing competition win and a recording contract with Atlantic Records under his belt, Ray is back, waiting to hit the Alice McClelland Bandshell to perform at the park he used to run and play in as a child. “I remember walking around here because my friend’s parents owned The Crazy Gator. I used to look up and think it would be so cool to play the bandshell. Now to come back and perform at it, there aren’t even words to describe it,” he says. After a long day of making the local media rounds and paying a special visit to Eustis High School, Ray is still full of energy, likely from the natural high he has been riding for the past three weeks since being crowned the first winner of The CW Television Network’s singing competition show, The Next. “This has been my first time back home since the show, and it feels great,” he says flashing a boyish grin. “I paid my dues here, and I want to put Eustis on the map.” The crowd swells in Ferran Park as people delight in the country rock sounds of Neon Truckers and Jill’s Cashbox, but it is clear people are anxiously waiting to see the true star of the evening. Taking the stage just before 8p.m., the audience rumbles with deafening applause as Ray, surdecember2012
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A star in the making Even as a newborn at Florida Waterman Hospital, only the soothing sounds of classic country music would hush Michael Ray’s jarring screams from the maternity ward. Then by the time he was 2-years-old, he was stealing the show from the family band with his toy guitar. “My dad would tell me he would get a little exposure during a performance, but then I would come out and the newspaper photographers would start taking my picture. The next day, my dad said all you would see in the paper is his knees and me,” Ray says. Growing up a fifth-generation Eustis native on ten acres of land with his entire family living on the property, Ray quickly sharpened his musical skills hanging around the family band that consisted of his grandfather, who played lead guitar; his dad, who sang lead; his uncle, who played bass guitar; and a few cousins who rounded out the rest of the group. “They kept me right there with 56
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them all the time. They put the music in me. They built me, but they never made me do anything I didn’t want to do,” he says. “They gave me that foundation of old country music that a lot of people my age don’t have.” By age sixteen, Ray decided to start performing full time. He started playing at the Florida Sunshine Opry and bars around Lake County. Eventually he gained enough exposure to branch out and play at venues in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas. It was then that Sara Michaels with radio station 97 Country watched him perform at Boots ’N Buckles Saloon in Lakeland. She liked him so much she started spinning his records on the Central Florida station. From there, it was like a chain reaction, and opportunities came pouring in. Before Ray knew it, he was packing his bags and moving to Nashville where he opened for wellknown country music artists such as Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, and Darryl Worley.
An opportunity of a lifetime After already experiencing a series of career highs and lows, Ray was on the road in South Carolina when he received a phone call asking him to participate in The Next. Knowing very little about the newly created show, he decided to meet with the creators. Once he learned more about how the show worked, Ray agreed to join. What sealed the deal for him, he says, was finding out the show had mentors — not judges — to help artists who have already laid the foundation but lack the record deal. Plus, John Rich, one of his country music idols, would be one of the mentors. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I had to be a part of it. The format was different from anything on television right now, and I loved that the mentors were so involved,” he says. Aside from all he learned from Rich and the other mentors, Ray says he will cherish the memories of
bringing Rich to Eustis and having him play with his family and hang out in his environment. He is also thankful for how the show helped him reach new fans in ways he could have never imagined. “The power of TV is crazy. You can go from being only known locally to being known all over the world. I had people tweeting me from places like Indonesia and France. It gave me kind of a confidence boost, and it opened up so many opportunities. I’m booking places and performing in places I’ve never been before,” he says. On the night they were going to announce the winner of The Next, Ray remembers being extremely nervous, which was rare. “I’ve never been that nervous in my life. When I watched the finale, I was rocking back and forth like a boat,” he says with a laugh. “The competition was not easy. All the contestants were talented, but I felt like this was everything I had put in and worked for all these years.” Still on the road since the big win, Ray says he is gearing up for Country Music Awards week in Nashville and his homecoming concert at The House of Blues in Orlando on December 29th. The next big step after everything dies down will be recording his album and aiming to have a single out early next year. Then it will be all about touring and promoting the album. However, with all his newfound fame, Ray says he won’t forget the promise he made during his big Eustis celebration. “We are going to do a big concert once a year in October. It’s going to be a charity thing so everyone look out for that. I want to bring a little something back to Lake County because it has given me so much.” As for his future in the country music world, Ray is hoping for longevity and fame, though he is not completely hanging his hat on becoming a huge celebrity. “I just always want to do this for a living,” he says. “Of course, I want to be as big as I can be, but as long as I can do what I love for a living, I’m happy.”
PHOTOS © THOMAS NEWTON
rounded by three generations of his family, humbly accepts the key to the city of Eustis and watches the mayor declare October 25th as Michael Ray Day. Overwhelmed with emotion, he tells any young person in the audience who hopes of making it big to never stop dreaming. “Remember God put something in you. Never give up,” he declares as the crowd cheers him on. He thanks his family for giving him a solid musical footing and a love for song in his heart. He especially thanks his grandfather. “You picked up a guitar and look what you did,” Ray joked. He lastly promises to use his newfound celebrity to do good things for the city where he got his start. “I’m so proud to be from here,” he says as he looks up to choke back tears. “Thank you for building and making me who I am, and I’ll do what I can for this city.”
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ight ny Ins nch Visit a ra b n Unio er Credit to ent w o h n r o a t ets to le 4 tick to win in Bieber t s u see J ndo! in Orla LIVE
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THE VILLAGES 352.753.8448 LEESBURG 352.728.2404 TAVARES 352.343.7279 www.LakeENT.net Scan the code to learn more about how we’re growing with our community.
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“When it was time to find help for Dad I made the best decision for all the right reasons.”
“I wanted a caring and friendly environment for Dad, with personal attention and a great quality of life. I found it all right here, where Personalized Assisted Living is designed individually for those who need some help with the activities of daily living. People like my Dad. Each day Dad gets three fresh, home-cooked meals, opportunities to socialize–even group trips. Since he moved in, he’s discovered a renewed sense of energy. I couldn’t ask for anything more – and neither could Dad.”
Your Story Continues here...
Personalized Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 1475 El Camino Real The Villages, FL 32159 www.brookdaleliving.com
If you have a loved one that needs great care personalized
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WHERE THE ONLY THING YOU'LL LIKE BETTER THAN OUR PRICE IS THE BUYING EXPERIENCE ITSELF
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Echoes of
Death WRITTEN BY SHEMIR WILES // PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY CASTO
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Echoes of
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The crowd of stamp collecto collectors milled about seeking treasures they might one day trade for profit. But not this young man; he stood spellbound by what the fellow standing in front of him gripped tightly in his hand. Although he was in search of a rare stamp to add to his collection, what he was looking at was much more intriguing… and it now had his full attention. The well-worn piece of paper once swathed a package more than six decades ago during one of the most turbulent times in world history. This tattered, seemingly nondescript scrap of paper that touched the young man’s soul was, to him, a piece of the most sacred literature ever written. It was a piece of the Torah a Nazi soldier had senselessly ripped from the Jewish holy book, desecrated with postmarks, and used to wrap and mail a common parcel. Seeing the sacred laws of God defiled in such an atrocious manner immediately galvanized Danny Spungen into action. The man holding the priceless relic was philatelic researcher and author Ken Lawrence. Spungen quickly asked Lawrence what he was going to do with the piece. “He told me he built this exhibit of letters and other historical documents and toured the southern United States with it, chasing around the Klu Klux Klan and the Neo-Nazis who would say the Holocaust never happened,” Spungen says. “He then told me he was going give it to the holocaust museum in Michigan, and I said to him, ‘No, give it to me.’” LONGING FOR DEATH Today, it is hard to imagine a time, so recent in world history, when men, women, and children were slaughtered in cold blood by the millions. It is hard to fathom families being torn apart, young children sent to work k camps where wher they fell dead from starvation while laboring to build armaments for an army seeking world domination. It is virtually impossible for us to comprehend how millions of human beings could compr wake each morning and ho hope that death would take them before the setting of the day’s sun. How could such insanity, fueled by tyrannical extremists, be accepted and em embraced by a sane society? It may be difficult tto grasp that such a level of prejudice and savagery could have existed in the world until you read the heart-rending letter from a young Polish man imprisoned in a concentration camp begging his parents for food or you touch that fr fragment of handwritten holy Jewish scripture that is now in Spungen’s collection of Holocaust which he carries city to city, state to state, memorabilia, whic country, reminding the world of what country to coun when seemingly rational people allow can happen whe prevail. insanity to pre
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Admittedly, at the time Spungen acquired the collection, he knew little about the Holocaust. It was a topic neither his family nor friends never openly discussed. When he first brought the 250-piece collection home in his minivan, using his German Shepard for protection against would-be thieves, he couldn’t quite grasp the magnitude of what was before him. “I was a little scared,” he says. “I called my rabbi and told him I wanted him to see it. When he got to my home and saw what I had, he was shaking. I knew I was in trouble because I was out of my league. I learned I had something powerful.” FINDING HIS ROOTS Since 2007, Spungen has been a self-appointed student of the Holocaust, absorbing any information he can so he can teach others its significance and share his possessions that paint the stark picture of what life was like for those suffering such brutality at the hands of the Nazis. Adding to it over the years, the now-10,000-piece collection, aptly called The Nazi Scourge: Postal & Monetary Evidence of the Holocaust — A Breakdown in Humanity, is filled with remarkable stories — rare pieces of mail exchanged between inmates incarcerated at concentration camps, evidence of sexual slavery in Nazi Germany, and forged British bank notes that were designed to destabilize Britain’s economy. Traveling the world sharing bits of his exclusive collection, Spungen possesses the unique opportunity to educate future generations about a time that, for them, may be too hard to even imagine. “I target high school and college students because I want them to understand it’s not just about the six million Jews who were killed. That’s just a piece of it,” he says. “The Holocaust was a complete breakdown in humanity. That’s what makes World War II so interesting. It was a breakdown across the board… Jehovah’s Witnesses, gypsies, political prisoners. When I lecture my goal is to plant a seed.” Continued on page 73
“Today, it is hard to imagine a time, so recent in world history, when men, women, and children were slaughtered in cold blood by the millions.
Auschwitz
Auschwitz
WRITTEN BY SHEMIR WILES
The foul stench of human waste and death overpowered the cattle cars as they chugged along the rickety track leading the latest transport of Hungarian Jews to their new home. Alone, frightened, and wedged in the overcrowded compartment, Gene Klein knew not what to expect. The last time the 16-year-old saw his family was three days ago. They stood outside an old abandoned brick factory after being forced from their homes by Hungarian soldiers. They stayed captive behind barbed wire waiting for the unknown. “We were all scared but had no idea what was going on,” Klein says. “There were rumors the families would be kept together, and we would work on farms. It was sort of hopeful thinking, but it was naïve.” The only food was bread passed through the caging from good-hearted Christians who had permission to offer sustenance. After a few days, Klein heard the low hum of a train approaching the factory. The rust-colored cars moved gently to a complete stop. Soldiers commanded everyone to surrender food and clothing because where
they were heading, they wouldn’t need it. “But I think some of us didn’t,” Klein says. “Some kept food in their pockets.” Three days and three nights passed with hardly any sleep and very little comfort. Mothers tried tirelessly to soothe the cries of their young. Many of the sick and elderly perished. Reaching the end of the line, the cars slowed to a halt. Klein and the others strained to see and hear their surroundings. Abruptly, the doors flew open. German soldiers, their faces twisted in rage, screamed for the weary passengers to get out. German Shepherds barked and nipped as the crowds of famished, tired Jews poured onto the grounds of what would be a hellish existence for some and the final resting place for others: Auschwitz. “I hooked up with my family for only a few minutes. That’s when I learned my grandparents died on the way,” Klein says. There was barely any time to talk before Klein found himself being separated from his mother and sisters. But he still stood with his father, a good-looking man in his early 50s
with a muscular build. However, his graying beard made him look much older. An SS solider pointed to Klein and sternly instructed him to move to the right. His dad — to the left. It would be the last Klein would see him. “Those who went to the left were gassed,” Klein says. “There was no time for conversation. I didn’t tell my father goodbye because I didn’t know it was goodbye.” Standing in a big open field, Klein and other men who survived the selection process stripped, showered, and were sprayed with harsh disinfectant. Their hair — cut and collected. Klein picked up his blue and white striped
Above, Gene Klein poses for a portrait in 1950, five years after being liberated from a Nazi concentration camp. Though many survivors lost all their personal photos during the Holocaust, a family friend saved Klein’s and returned them to him and his family. The above left center top photo shows Klein as a baby; the above left center bottom photo shows him at 3-years-old. His father, Herman, is at the top right and mother, Berta is at the bottom right. On the far right is Klein today. Following liberation he reunited with his mother, but his father died in the Nazi gas chambers at Auschwitz. december2012
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Auschwitz
prisoner uniform and wooden shoes before reporting for check-in. “The soldier asked for my name. I told him my name, and he found it on the list. Then he looked at my chest, which had a number on it, and he wrote it down. From then on they only called you by your number, not your name,” Klein says. Each morning at Auschwitz, the inmates filed out of the barracks to be counted. Those who looked sick were pulled out of ranks and gassed. Luckily, Klein only stayed at Auschwitz for a few weeks before being transferred to Wolfsberg, a slave labor camp in the Austrian mountains. “My first job was carrying iron rail. It was long and heavy. We carried a couple footballfield lengths every day. It was very difficult, hard work.” Every day, Klein witnessed people dying from hunger and sickness, a sight that was hard to process. Six months into his imprisonment, an SS solider asked during roll call if anyone knew how to speak German. Klein tentatively raised his hand. “They took me to work with a German civil engineer. He basically saved my life because he would leave me food in the barracks. That extra food built me up physically. It also helped mentally
because he was German, and he could have gotten in a lot of trouble for feeding me.” Work was tough, but Klein clung to the hope he would one day be free and be able to see his family again. However, near his year anniversary of detention, he and other slave camp survivors were suddenly relocated to a much larger camp. There, the Nazis only had one expectation: for everyone to die from either starvation or disease. During his time there, Klein befriended two Polish children. They one day decided to explore the grounds. Eyeing the guards who stood watchful with their hefty machine guns, Klein and the boys gingerly walked up to the gate that surrounded the compound. In the distance, they saw a figure on horseback moving closer to the camp. “The Russian horseman dismounted and said he was there to liberate us,” Klein says, his voice breaking slightly. “So many people perished, but when we saw him we knew we had survived. People were opening the doors to the barracks and yelling, ‘We’re free, we’re free!’ It’s one of those things you never forget.” ■
“There was no time for conversation. I didn’t tell my father goodbye because I didn’t know it was goodbye.”
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Next year, the exhibit will take him to China, where its display will coincide with the Chinese government minting its first coin commemorating a Jewish event — the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Ghetto, a city that housed tens of thousands of Jews who left their homes in Europe for safety during the Holocaust. But before traveling thousands of miles across the globe, some 500 samples from his collection will be on display in both Lake and Marion counties — the first time any of the collection will be shown in the state of Florida Local philanthropist Sandy Lichterman is spearheading project. With a penchant for giving, Lichterman first asked the proje Spungen to bring the collection to Lake County back in June as a way to honor the memory of his friend, Simon Waksburg, who Holocaust survivor and once traveled was a H led the country sharing stories. his stori “I’m doing this for Simon, but I also so feel it’s my duty not just as a Jew but as a human being to tell ell this story so it doesn’t happen again,” Lichterman says. “My hope ope and prayer is the next generation will pick this up and keep genera p the knowledge and the history of the Holocaust alive.” Spungen will bring some of his most notable memorabilia Sp including a portion of his counterfeit money collection, specifically includ money mone that was made at the Auschwitz hwitz concentration camp, infamously known for being the location infam ion of the single largest mass killing killin of human beings in the history y of mankind. People who visit the exhibit will also be able to see letters and P handmade cards adorned with colorful han ul Easter designs. One prisoner sent sen a beautiful decorated letter to his wife and family from the confi con nes of Dachau. It proves that even ven while barely surviving such barbaric and inhumane conditions, prisoners did what they could bar to cheer up their loved ones and remain emain hopeful. “People love the Easter letter because it shows that even Ea ven when you are being tortured
and destroyed, you still have hope, ope, and I think that is pretty powerful,” Spungen says. But most telling of humanity’s ability to still hold on to faith in the face of extreme adversity will be the stories told during the exhibit’s presentation from local Holocaust survivors who will share their personal accounts of unbelievable anguish, courage, and survival. Villages resident Gene Klein has spoken numerous times all over Florida about his Holocaust experience and will travel with the exhibit to speak while it is in Florida. “I realize how important it is to share my story,” Klein says. “I get so much positive feedback, and I imagine I have reached hundreds of people, so I will keep doing it until I can’t anymore.”
EXHIBIT SCHEDULE Friday, February 8, at Trinity Catholic High School, 2600 S.W. 42nd Street, Ocala; 10:30a.m.–3p.m. (students only); 6–9p.m. (open to the public). Sunday, February 10, at Temple B’nai Darom, 49 Banyan Course, Ocala; Noon–4:30p.m. Monday, February 11, at Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg; 10:30a.m.–3p.m. (students only); 6–9p.m. (open to the public). Tuesday, February 12, at On Top of the World, 8445 S.W. 80th Street, Ocala; 11a.m.–4:30p.m. Wednesday, February 13, at the Savannah Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages; 11a.m.–8p.m.
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The Summit of Lady Lake 737 Hwy. 466 • Lady Lake Monday, Wednesday 9am-5pm
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food+wine
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quick bites The Garden Gate Tea Room
Hoss’s Pizza
Come relax in an atmosphere that soothes the soul. Garden Gate Tea Room is a quaint restaurant that is perfectly appropriate to enjoy a quieter pace, a welcome change to hectic schedules. Try the salmon covered in a light cream sauce and baked in a soufflé, or the popular rosemary herb-crusted chicken pie. When you are ready to plan the perfect shower or party, this lovely Mount Dora gem can put together the ideal gathering to celebrate the special people in your life — right down to the fancy hats and high tea. LOCATION: 142 E. 4th Ave. Mount Dora, FL 32757 PHONE: 352.735.2158 HOURS: Monday–Saturday 11a.m. – 3p.m.
Have you had an amazing culinary experience lately? Enjoyed something new in the entertainment or food and beverage venues in Lake or Sumter County? Please share! They may be featured in our Quick Bites section, the official Dining and Entertainment press release section for Lake and Sumter Style! Let us know about a new signature dish or menu, grand openings, new chefs and/or entertainment offerings so we can share them with our readers.
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Veteran restaurant owner Darryl “Hoss” Snyder is bringing a little slice of New York to Lake County. This unassuming eatery nestled in a business plaza is offering up freshly prepared subs, Buffalo-style wings, pastas, and of course, amazing pizza. Darryl says the difference is in the quality. “Everything here is made from scratch — from the dough to the sauce.” With lunch specials every day of the week — including a giant slice of pizza and a soda starting at an incredible $2 — Hoss’s Pizza is offering affordable, delicious lunch and dinner options sure to please everyone. LOCATION: 10601 U.S. Hwy 441 unit C-18 Leesburg, FL 34788 HOURS: Monday – Thursday 11a.m. – 9p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11a.m. – 10p.m.; Sunday Noon – 9p.m.
Wolfy’s Café
Pisces Rising
After a fire destroyed this beloved Leesburg landmark, Wolfy’s re-opened its doors in April 2011, and they are busier than ever. Wolfy’s is known for its home-style cooking, attentive staff, and affordable dishes like a dinner for two including drinks for a mere $15.25. With alternating weekday lunch and dinner specials starting at just $7.50, there is always something warm, comforting, and delicious to try. Perhaps the most fascinating thing about this hometown eatery is its entire menu is available all day. Cheeseburger for breakfast, anyone? LOCATION: 918 N. 14th St. Leesburg, FL 34748 PHONE: 352.787.6777 HOURS: Monday – Saturday 6a.m. – 8p.m.
Sapplings Café As the new kid on the block, Sapplings Café is bringing some upscale flair to historic Leesburg. With entrées ranging from low country shrimp and grits to the more urban chorizo sliders, there is truly something for every palate. For those of us who aren’t as adventurous, Sappling’s also has the tried and true options like fresh burgers and scrumptious flatbreads. A unique feature is its “theme nights” — such as Oktoberfest night, Italian night, and they already sold-out Brunch with Santa. Come check out Leesburg’s newest edition, and sample some of the delightful dishes for yourself! LOCATION: 1434 W. Main St. Leesburg, FL 34748 HOURS: Monday – Friday 11a.m. – 2:30p.m. PHONE: 352.365.2233
Get ready to enjoy the fresh, flavorful seafood that Florida is known for. Pisces Rising has been serving up some stellar “Creole-ribbean” food for nearly eight years. In addition to its incredible seafood, this lakefront masterpiece also offers Black Angus beef and some delicious chicken and pasta dishes. Guests can dine outside on the spacious deck, which affords some phenomenal views of the sunset over Lake Dora. Come enjoy an evening with friends, and enjoy the live entertainment Thursday through Sunday. Don’t forget to end your night out with a slice of the famous Key lime pie. LOCATION: 239 W. 4th Ave. Mount Dora, FL 32757 PHONE: 352.385.2669 HOURS: Lunch: Monday – Saturday 11:30a.m. – 4p.m.; Sunday Brunch 11a.m. – 3p.m. Dinner: Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9p.m.; Friday – Saturday 5 – 10p.m.
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restaurant review Written by Pat Jocelyn • Photos by Fred Lopez
Pressed for Time Café When you meet a young entrepreneur who is putting his heart and soul into a business, people tend to take notice. Case in point: 31-year-old Zac Ward, owner of the Pressed for Time Café in Tavares. Zac has been in the food business for about twelve years and has owned Pressed for Time for two of those years. “It’s something I like to do — it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun,” the Lake County resident said in a recent interview. “And although I work on average twelve to fourteen hours a day, if I take a Sunday off, I’m always looking forward to going in again on Monday. Being away from here for one day is all I want anyway.” “I just enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant,” the DeLand native continued. “It’s the hustle and bustle, and I like to please the people who come in here.” When asked if he had any interests outside of the café, Zac shook his head back and forth. “Not right now,” he said. “When I got this restaurant I knew I’d have to pretty much put all of my focus on this place. This is what I set out to do.” That kind of dedication can’t help but be reflected in the quality of food Zac offers his customers. From the hot pressed sandwiches, the homemade chicken salad, and the luscious brownies and cookies, to the Cuban bread he travels to Tampa to buy, this man takes the quality of his food very seriously. But this enthusiastic restaurateur is also quick to tell you his staff plays a big role in the success of his business. “Because we’re a small restaurant, there’s a lot of teamwork going on,” he said. “One of the things I pride myself on is we really get to know our customers,” Zac said. “I know the first names of about ninety-five
percent of the customers that come in here, and it’s nice to see them leave satisfied. “I see some of the people three to five times a week,” he continued. “It’s good to see them come back and bring new customers with them.” But “the proof is in the pudding” — and that’s my cue to talk about the menu items I tried. Zac recommended their most popular sandwich, the Cuban, which is a hot-pressed sandwich consisting of ham, slow-roasted pork, salami, pickles, Swiss cheese, mustard, and mayo. I could see why Zac travels to Tampa to get his bread. The flavor was outstanding. It was toasted to perfection and had a nice crunch when you bit into its surface. Although all of the meats’ flavors complemented one another, each could have stood alone — a salute to the quality of meat used. I also had the opportunity to sample another popular item: their chicken salad. The combination of freshly chopped pieces of juicy chicken, celery, spices, and “craisins” (no folks, that’s not a typo — “craisins” are dried cranberries) was delicious. For dessert, Zac recommended an outrageous oatmeal, raisin, and pecan cookie, and his most popular dessert: a thick and decadent brownie. Trying to behave myself, I sampled the cookie and saved the brownie for later — I’m just not saying how much later. Both desserts were excellent, and it would be difficult to choose one over the other. Zac Ward has worked hard to create an informal and relaxing atmosphere where you’ll enjoy reasonable prices and tempting food that’s made with a solid pinch of heart and soul. I recommend you stop by, and bring your family with you.
POPULAR LUNCH: THE CUBAN: $4.50/$6.75 TURKEY MELT: $4.50/$7.50 CHICKEN BACON RANCH WRAP: $6.75 CHICKEN SALAD: $6.50 GREEK SALAD: $7.99 BLACK BEANS & RICE: $4.50/6.00
POPULAR DESSERTS: BROWNIE: $1.50 MUFFIN: $1.50 CAKE: $2.00 COOKIE: $0.50
ADDRESS: 110 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., TAVARES FL 32778 PHONE: 352.253.GOOD (4663) HOURS OF OPERATION: BREAKFAST: THURSDAY–FRIDAY, 7:30–10A.M. LUNCH: MONDAY–SATURDAY, 10A.M.–3P.M.
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the loving kitchen Written by Heather Pruett • Photos by Fred Lopez
The Loving Kitchen My grandma Hurley was one of a kind. She was beautiful, caring, a great storyteller, amazingly crazy, and she had the ability to light up a room simply with her mere presence. Put her in front of a piano, and she could entertain a crowd for hours. Put her in front of a stove, and she could make some of the most divine dishes you’ve ever tasted! This is why I get so excited when I’m preparing one of her recipes, especially her desserts. And I feel it very appropriate to invite my daughter into the kitchen to teach her these recipes, and share the many stories of my father’s sweet mother. These three dessert dishes date back four generations and have been served several times at my family’s dinner table on Christmas Day. They are absolutely delicious and make the The Loving Kitchen is a next generation cooking show featuring Mount Dora wife and mother, Heather Pruett. Visit Heather and family at www.thelovingkitchen.com.
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perfect ending dish to any small or large family gathering. They are easy to make alone but ideal for little helpers to join in. So as I bake with my daughter and tell her about her greatgrandma Hurley’s God-given talent of playing the piano, I can’t help but smile. I remember many holidays after dinner my grandma would entertain us with her piano playing. Her favorite song Turkey in the Straw is one that will forever be remembered by my family and a song that my kids now love to hear my dad play. And although it makes me sad my children were never able to meet their amazing greatgrandma, I feel sure she knows them very well… just from a different view.
Apple Cake
Pans/Utensils/Equipment Needed: Measuring cup Measuring spoons Paring knife 12-cup Bundt pan 2 large mixing bowls Hand-held electric mixer Mixing spoons Cooking spray Cake plate Ingredients: 1 1/3 cup canola oil 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups sugar 3 large eggs 3–4 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into ½ inch pieces 1 cup finely diced walnuts 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Junior Chef Jobs: Measuring Mixing Instructions: • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray. • In a mixing bowl, thoroughly mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. • In another mixing bowl, combine canola oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Using a mixer, mix on high speed for one minute. • Gradually shake in dry ingredients, and mix until well blended. • Add apples and nuts to batter, and using a large spoon, mix to combine. • Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 65-80 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. • Remove from oven, and cool slightly. • Invert cake onto cake platter, and let cool completely before serving.
Grandma’s “Only at Christmas” Cheesecake
Pans/Utensils/Equipment Needed: Can Opener Measuring cup Hand-held electric mixer Medium-sized stove top pan Large mixing bowl Medium-sized mixing bowl Large sealable bag Rolling pin 2½ quart round baking dish Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk, chilled ¾ cup crushed pineapple 2 (8-ounce) cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup lemon Jell-O 2 cups crushed graham crackers (approximately 14-16 whole sheets) ½ cup sugar ½ stick butter, melted Junior Chef Jobs: Measuring Mixing Crushing graham crackers Instructions: • Preheat oven to 350F. • In a large sealable bag, crush graham crackers using a rolling pin. Set aside one to two tablespoons for cake topping. • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, blend remaining crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Press in round baking dish, and bake for fifteen minutes. • Place pineapple into a stovetop pan, and bring to a slight boil. Remove from heat, stir in Jell-O until dissolved. Set aside, and let cool. • Using a hand-held mixer, mix together condensed milk and cream cheese until smooth. • Pour in cooled pineapple mixture and hand mix. • Pour into 9x13-inch graham cracker crust. • Sprinkle crushed graham crackers lightly on top. • Cover and refrigerate at least four hours, best overnight. 90
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Oatmeal Cake
Pans/Utensils/Equipment Needed: 9x13-inch baking dish Two large mixing bowls Measuring cup Measuring spoons Medium stove top pan Hand-held mixer Mixing spoon Ingredients: Cake: 1 cup (1-minute) oatmeal 1½ cups boiling water ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1½ cup flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping: ½ cup butter ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup milk or cream 1 cup coconut ½ cup finely diced walnuts Junior Chef Jobs: Measuring Mixing Timing Cake Instructions: • Preheat oven to 350F. • Boil water and combine with oatmeal. Set aside. • Using a hand-held mixer, mix butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. • Add eggs one at a time, beating well. • Add oatmeal water mixture, and beat well. • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg until fully blended. • Combine dry mix and wet mix together. Beat well. • Pour mixture into a well-greased pan, and bake for 30–35 minutes. Topping instructions: • Melt butter. • Add sugar and milk. • Bring to a boil. • Cook slightly. • Add coconut and nuts. Mix well. • Pour on hot cake, place in oven, and broil until topping is bubbly and slightly browned. december2012
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Champagg the drink of friendship
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saluté Text and Photos by Mary Ann DeSantis
Holiday festivities sparkle with French Champagne, but there’s no reason the bubbly can’t be served all year. Champagne is a quintessential drink at holiday celebrations and special occasions. However, I can’t remember any event more magical than my first sip of champagne in Reims, the capital of France’s Champagne region. All that talk about terroir making the difference in the way a wine tastes is especially apparent when drinking champagne in the place where it’s produced. I thought I knew all about the sparkling beverage, but I really didn’t understand it until I visited two very different champagne houses in the region.
Many wine tourists in France make stops at large, well-known champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, or Pommery. Visiting Champagne Pommery’s cavernous cellars and Disneyesque tasting room was indeed memorable. My champagne education, however, began at a small family-owned producer in the village of Verzy, about twelve miles from Reims. Champagne Etienne Lefèvre is located in the Montagne de Reims sub-region of Champagne where all the vineyards are classified as Grand Cru, the top rating for champagnes. The owners’ ancestors worked in the vineyards for centuries, and Madame AnneMarie Lefèvre’s grandfather
gn gne
acquired the chalk cellars that the family still uses to house the 85,000 bottles a year it produces. A petite woman, Anne-Marie’s effervescent personality matches the champagne that she and her husband, Etienne, make. After a warm welcome, she guides a small group of us into the naturally excavated limestone caves where bottles are aged and stored. She demonstrates how bottles of an exquisite 2004 vintage are still turned by hand in an antique riddling rack — a process that is critical in making good champagne. She stops at a nook enclosed by wrought iron gates where a 1985 vintage is stored. “A good year,” she says, and then with a wink adds, “because it was the year my daughter was born.” When someone in the group asks how long a bottle of champagne could be stored at home, she replies in English, “Don’t conserve it, drink it.” The French do not save champagne for just special occasions; rather a glass is served at the beginning of almost every meal as the perfect accompaniment to appetizers. It’s also a drink of hospitality in the only region in the world where sparkling wines can be called champagne. Back in the Champagne Etienne Lefèvre tasting room, several bottles of champagne are opened for a tasting because the Lefèvres want us to find “the right wine for our palates.”
Each label is distinctive, ranging from semi-sweet to very dry. Lefèvre uses only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in his champagnes, which range from 50/50 blends all the way to 100 percent Pinot Noir. Verzy, the slope where the Lefèvres live and work, is considered ‘the kingdom of Pinot Noir.’ “The terroir here is magic,” Anne-Marie says. The limestone and chalky soil produces some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in the world, both of which are used to make champagnes. As early as the 4th century, Romans cultivated the vineyards, located in northeastern France, and champagne houses sprang up in the early 18th century. Anne-Marie is a fountain of information and supplies details that tourists don’t always hear on a wine-tasting tour, especially one that costs only five Euros. For example, she tells us a scientist at a local university estimated that a bottle of champagne contains 45 to 50 million bubbles. She demonstrates how to properly open a bottle of champagne by leaving the metal wire intact. She shows us an old vine that was grafted with American rootstock to battle Phylloxera, a blight that almost wiped out France’s vineyards in the late 1800s. “Phylloxera initially came from America, but help also came from the Americans,” she says with a smile. Champagne is often associated with luxury, rites of passage, and celebrations. Anne-Marie adds another important reason to serve it: “Most of all, champagne is friendship.” For more information about the Champagne region, visit www. champagne-etienne-lefevre.com or www.reims-tourisme.com.
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BONappétit
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Pisces Rising
A Fresh Florida Seafood and Steak House
239 W. Fourth Avenue, Mount Dora • 352.385.2669 Pisces Rising offers a unique blend of lively island flavors and delicious Louisiana Cajun-style cuisine. Their distinctive Creoleribbean fare has delighted customers for nearly 10 years. Celebrated as the “Best of the Best,” this casually elegant restaurant serves Black Angus beef with seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood either in their stylish dining room or outside on their spacious deck with Tiki-style bar overlooking peaceful Lake Dora. Private party and meeting rooms are available in a beautifully restored 1920s era home that sits inside the restaurant. Their catering service, “Pisces Rising, Too,” offers both “full-service” and “delivery and setup” options for all your home or business events. Come in and enjoy fine food, friendly service and incredible Florida sunsets at Pisces Rising, the area’s elegant choice for casual dining. Open seven days a week with live entertainment Thursday–Sunday. “Laissez le Bons Temps Rouler!”
Closed Christmas day only. Come to our New Year’s Eve party! Lunch
Monday–Saturday 11:30a.m.–4p.m. Sunday Brunch Menu 11a.m.–3p.m.
Dinner
Sunday–Thursday Friday and Saturday
5p.m.–9p.m. 5p.m.–10p.m. www.PiscesRisingDining.com
Stone Creek Grille 9676 S.W. 62nd Loop, Ocala • 352.291.2140 The Stone Creek Grille is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner offering American Continental cuisine with a delicious selection of entrees including steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and salads. Enjoy prime rib, grouper, cubans, reubens, and specialty salads. Feast on exquisitely prepared specials by Chef Kathy with entrees like Tuscan chicken, seafood fettuccini, crab cakes, and prime rib. Not only will you enjoy exceptional cuisine, you will also be pampered by our waitstaff while experiencing the Grille’s breathtaking view. Hours of Operation: Breakfast: Monday–Saturday 7a.m.–10:30a.m. Lunch: Monday–Saturday 11a.m.–3p.m. Dinner: Wednesday–Saturday 4p.m.–8p.m. Brunch: Sunday 9a.m.–3p.m.; Lounge: 7am–8p.m. Daily Happy Hour: Monday–Friday 4p.m.–6p.m.
Hanaka 1704 Citrus Blvd. Leesburg • 352.315.8666 Welcome to Hanaka – Leesburg’s newest Japanese restaurant. This unassuming establishment offers up outstanding sushi, tempura, and hibachi. Open seven days a week, and serving lunch and dinner, Hanaka brings a little bit of Japan to Lake County. Try a sushi lunch special featuring two rolls, a salad, and soup starting at only $7.95. Want to try a great dish that doesn’t include sushi? Try one of the six hibachi lunch specials — all of which include soup, salad, and your choice of fried or steamed rice, starting at $6.25. If it is dinner you are looking for, come tempt your senses with an incredible noodle dish, delicious specialty rolls, or one of Hanaka’s famous teriyaki dishes. Round out your dinner with an authentic Japanese dessert such as vanilla or green tea tempura ice cream, or a scrumptious tempura banana. Hours of Operation: Monday–Thursday 11a.m.–9:30p.m. Friday and Saturday 11a.m.– 10p.m. Sunday 11:30a.m.–9p.m.
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Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares • 352.508.5137 www.hurricanedocksidegrill.com A trip to Hurricane Dockside Grill will undoubtedly captivate your senses. Feast your eyes on the picturesque Dead River, listen to live bands playing on the weekend, and taste the restaurant’s delicious cuisine. The food, which can best be described as a combination of Floridian, the Caribbean, and Key West, includes everything from seafood and steak to burgers. The creative culinary skills of Chef Derrick Haggerty are evident in each unforgettable dish. Diners can choose to eat outside on the deck while enjoying beautiful scenery and fresh air or eat inside the beautifully decorated facility. With 28 boat slips, Hurricane Dockside is easily accessible by boat. Visitors also enjoy playing volleyball on the beach sand volleyball court and others participate in the PlayStation competitions. Don’t forget that the restaurant also serves as a full-service catering and banquet facility. Hours of Operation: Sunday–Thursday Friday and Saturday
11a.m.–10p.m. 11a.m.–11p.m.
Palm Tree Grille 351 North Donnelly Street, Mount Dora 352.735.1936 • www.palmtreegrille.com Located in Mount Dora, the Palm Tree Grille has been family owned and operated since 1995. The décor is sophisticated yet casual allowing for the perfect meeting, family gathering, or private event. Our “Wall of Wine” makes for a stunning display of more than 600 bottles of wine. Culinary offerings include classic Italian as well as steaks, chops, seafood, pasta, salads, tasty sandwiches, sumptuous desserts, and more. Guests can relax in the lounge where we offer a full bar with unique wines, craft beers, and a variety of spirits. The restaurant is available for special events such as weddings, corporate functions, family gatherings, and other celebrations. Every month, the Palm Tree Grille operates a “Wine Connoisseur Dinner.” These exciting dinners offer four-course meals with each course being paired to a particular wine. Guests may also purchase wines to take home with you, just as you would in a wine shop. HOURS: Sunday Monday–Saturday
Noon–8p.m. 11a.m.–9p.m.
The Oyster Troff 936 North Bay Street, Eustis • 352.357.9939 “The Troff” is a great place to meet up with your family and friends in our fun and relaxed atmosphere. Family owned and operated for more than 14 years, we offer something for everybody with our full menu and full bar. We run happy hour Monday through Thursday that includes $5.99 ½ pound of peel and eat shrimp, $0.60 wings, and $0.50 off alcoholic beverages. If you can’t make it for happy hour, don’t worry, we run specials every day of the week! Come try our fresh oysters, homemade crab cakes, or our famous blackened white fish. You just can’t go wrong with anything you order on our great menu. If you’re looking for a place to have your next party we offer great party packages so you can have your next get together with us. So come see us for some delicious food, great service, and even better prices! Starting in November, we will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. Hours of Operation: Monday–Wednesday Thursday Friday–Saturday Sunday
3–9 p.m. 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Noon–9 p.m. december2012
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The Goblin Market Restaurant & Lounge 331-B Donnelly Street (Rear Alley), Mount Dora 352.735.0059 • www.GoblinMarketRestaurant.com Nestled on a back alley in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market Restaurant has been charming locals and tourists alike since 1996. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse, features three intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a full-service lounge furnished in soothing, muted tones with tasteful modern art. The private, tree-shaded courtyard and garden patio are open year-round for al fresco dining. Low lighting and “new age” music add the finishing touches to the restaurant’s casual elegance. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski embrace a simple philosophy of offering the highest-quality products, served in a unique and romantic atmosphere by a personable and attentive staff. The Goblin Market’s wine list and menu represent a refreshing mix of ideas from its culinary team. The diversified origins and background of each member ensure exciting menu offerings and nightly selections. Lunch Dinner
Tuesday–Saturday 11a.m.–3:00p.m. Tuesday–Thursday 5–9p.m. Friday–Saturday 5–10p.m. Sunday 11a.m.–3:30p.m. Join us for our new “lighter fare” dinner menu, gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches.Tuesday– Thursday from 3–9p.m. (regular dinner menu also available).
Ipanema Brazilian Steak House 2023 South Pine Avenue, Ocala • 352.622.1741 • www.ipanemaocala.com A Churrascaria (Portuguese for barbecue) is a dining experience where roaming Gauchos slice and serve fire-roasted meats from skewers in a continual fashion. Ipanema Brazilian Steak House boasts 12 of the finest cuts of meat, finished off with cinnamon-roasted pineapple. The fine meats are complemented by an opulent salad and vegetable bar, delectable desserts, and delicious wines, beers and cocktails. Ipanema’s Executive Chef Ortenciade Almeida invites you to embrace the flavors of Brazil and experience the magnetism of Ipanema for yourself. We offer an extensive appetizer menu and full dinner service outdoors. Happy hour Tues-Sun 5pm-7pm. 2-4-1 drinks, wines. Ipanema Wednesday’s Caipirinha Hour 2-4-1: Caip’s every Wednesday all night long (bar and lounge area only)! Our facilities will be available for company events, meetings and private parties, Tuesday to Thursday during lunch hours. Join us and From our families to yours, Ipanema would like to wish all of our patrons a happy holiday season. Ipanema will be closed Christmas day, and December 26th. We would be honored to serve you during the holidays, so call and reserve your Ipanema experience today!
Brunch, Sunday 12–3p.m. Dinner 4–9p.m. Lunch, Friday 11a.m.–2:30p.m. Tuesday–Thursday 5p.m.–9p.m. Friday and Saturday 5p.m.–10p.m.
TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli Village of Spanish Springs, 990 Delmar Drive, The Villages • 352.753.3510 Lake Sumter Landing, 1129 Canal Street, The Villages • 352.430.0410 The Holidays are upon us. To do lists are being made, parties are being planned, and family is in town. TooJay’s is the perfect partner. Best known for overstuffed deli sandwiches and traditional deli favorites, TooJay’s also provides outstanding to go and catering services at prices that will make you smile. The Holidays can be hectic, so let us help. Take a break with TooJay’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner. TooJay’s will be open on Christmas Day. Dine In • Take Out • Delivery • Catering Monday – Sunday 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
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Subway www.subway.com Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food. LADY LAKE 208 W. Guava St. 352.750.4929
LEESBURG 2013 Citrus Blvd. 352.787.6442
THE VILLAGES 1580 Bella Cruz Dr. 352.750.9600
EUSTIS 469 Plaza Dr. 352.357.7827
10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 352.326.3234
8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Ln. 352.750.9991
MOUNT DORA 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.735.4376
27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 352.314.8847
Monday–Saturday Sunday
10a.m.–10p.m. 10a.m.–9p.m.
WILDWOOD 480 W. Gulf To Alantic Hwy. 352.748.8800
1070 Lake Sumter Landing Dr. 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. 352.391.1657
Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant Open seven days a week: 11a.m.–9p.m. | Food, Spirits, Music, Sports 10700 US Hwy 441, Leesburg • 352.253.2442 Cousin Vinnie’s is located on U.S. Hwy. 441 across from Lake Square Mall.This recently expanded restaurant now offers seating to accommodate 90-plus guests. Owner Vinnie Vittoria has created a unique atmosphere by combining a sports bar with a family restaurant. Since opening in July 2008, Vinnie’s has become famous for outstanding food and even better service.The residents of Lake and Sumter counties voted them BEST WINGS in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Every Monday night is “Bike Night” with happy hour from 5–7p.m ($1.00 domestic drafts and $6.99 Wing Ding Meals.) Tuesday night is “Family Night” from 4–8p.m. when kids 10-and-under eat free.Wednesday night is “Trivia Night” when the fun starts at 6:30p.m. with great prizes given to the top three teams.Thursday night is “Extreme Karaoke” — big fun all night! Every Saturday watch your favorite college team while enjoying $1.50 domestic draft beers all day and night. On Sundays they offer The Sunday NFL Ticket, catch any game… any time! Cousin Vinnie’s also offers, free Wi-Fi, biker parking, awesome music, and an enthusiastic staff ready to serve you. “I absolutely look forward to serving you and your family very soon!” says owner Cousin Vinnie.
Bamboo Bistro 700 North Hwy. 441 (In front of Target), Lady Lake • 352.750.9998 The Villages Bamboo Bistro welcomes you to have a delightful dining experience with us. Enjoy an impressive selection of Asian dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as a full sushi bar. Some of the more popular items include Peking duck, pepper seared filet mignon, the bamboo basil seafood delight, and the Chilean sea bass served in black bean sauce. Of course, there are plenty of other enticing items made with our freshest ingredients, such as the shrimp in lobster sauce, Mongolian beef, and the ever-popular General Tso’s chicken. Noodle soups and noodle dishes are also available, a variety of Asian beers and the extensive selection of wine will complement that perfect meal. Dim Sum Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday Noon–9 p.m. HOURS: Monday–Thursday Friday and Saturday Sunday
11a.m.–9:30p.m. 11a.m.–10p.m. Noon–9p.m.
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Cheeser’s Palace Café and Catering Chocolate and Cheese Shop 707 W Montrose Street, Clermont • 352.404.9431 • www.CheesersPalace.com Cheeser’s Palace Café is nestled in the heart of historic downtown Clermont.The cafe’s European flair and commitment to quality food and presentation makes it a must for all those looking for a unique dining experience. Breakfast is deep in traditions, with the added excitement of specialty omelets, crepes, and fresh danishes. Lunch offers a wondrous array of choices for our famous four-cheese grilled-withtomato sandwich to our unique fresh salad menu and homemade soups. Free cheese tastings every third Saturday of the month from 5-8p.m. Amanda and Carol look forward to meeting you. Call us now for all-occasion catering. Breakfast served all day on weekends. Tuesday–Saturday 7:30a.m.–3p.m. Sunday 7:30a.m.–2p.m.
The Speckled Butterbean 5995 Signature Road, Wildwood • 352.748.5333 522 North Market Blvd., Webster • 352.569.5333 (Located inside Sumter County Farmers Market) If you love mouth-watering, delicious country-style cooking, then you are in for a treat. The Speckled Butterbean Restaurant has opened a second restaurant located in Wildwood. You’ll find all your favorites — from sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast to fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner to slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth pot roast with fresh vegetables for supper. Come and taste delicious country recipes handed down from generation to generation. PLEASE STOP BY AND VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP Open 7 days a week Breakfast Dinner Supper
6–10:30a.m. 10:30a.m.–4p.m. 4–9p.m.
Would you like to see your restaurant in our dining section?
Call us at 352.787.4112
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what’s happening
DECEMBER 2012
Main Street Christmas Parade December 1st Have fun with the whole family in historic downtown Leesburg during this evening of holiday entertainment with performances by local groups, dazzling Christmas light displays, festive food, plus carnival rides and games for children. The parade kicks off at 7p.m. as marching bands, twirlers, dance groups, and illuminated floats travel down Main Street, all themed around a “Seussical Christmas.” Presented by the Leesburg Partnership and City of Leesburg. Visit www.christmasparade.leesburgpartnership.com for event details.
LAKE COUNTY CELEBRATES 125 YEARS December 7th Wish Lake County a very happy 125th birthday as the Lake County Historical Society and Museum also celebrates its 25th anniversary of being founded and the 15th anniversary of being located in the historic courthouse. This special event will have refreshments, speakers, exhibits, and a tribute to WWII veterans, including the LaRoe family and WWII Medal of Honor recipient Private Robert McTureous. The celebration begins at 6p.m. at Lake County Historical Museum, 317 W. Main St., Tavares. Call Lavonda Morris at 352.343.9890 or email lakecounty1887@yahoo.com.
WINTER FAIR December 17th See chestnuts roasting on an open fire and sip on hot mulled cider as you participate in an old Florida family celebration with good food and live music for a good cause. This benefit for The Florida ScrubJay Consortium to build The Florida Scrub-Jay Treatment Center for songbirds and other injured wildlife will feature Old Florida traditions such as blacksmithing and weaving, singing around the campfire while roasting marshmallows, and planting vegetables for the hungry in the Community Giving Garden. Tickets are on sale now and available through the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail Trailhouse on www.scrubjaytrail.org, or by calling 352.429.5566.
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DECEMBER 2012
Events Christmas Parade (December 1) Sponsored by the Mount Dora Lions Club, the parade begins at 1p.m. Call 352.449.8443 for more information. City Christmas Light-Up (December 1) Watch the city of Tavares light up with the holiday spirit. The parade starts at 5:30p.m. and takes place on Main and Ruby Streets. Events and entertainment will take place at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. and also at Main and Ruby Streets. There will be live entertainment, kid’s activities, “ice” skating, “snow” storms, food vendors, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. Call 352.742.6370 for more information. Lighted Boat Parade (December 1) This event is sponsored by the Mount Dora Boating Center, Lake Dora waterfront. The parade begins at 7p.m.; call 352.383.3150 for more details. Venetian Gardens Light-Up (December 1) Prepare to be dazzled at this annual holiday light show, which features more than 500,000 miniature lights and displays. This promises to be a stunning Christmas holiday spectacle you won’t want to miss. Light-up occurs at 6p.m. The display will remain open nightly through January 1st. Wildwood Christmas Parade (December 1) This year’s theme is “My Favorite Christmas.” The parade begins at 3p.m. For more information or to participate in the parade, contact Wildwood City Hall at 352.330.1300. Main Street Christmas House (December 1- 15) Christmas elves in Leesburg have been busily working to prepare the Main Street Christmas House for its grand holiday opening. The shop houses more than 50,000 uniquely handcrafted holiday decorations and gifts by more than100 holiday craftsmen and 102
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craftswomen. For location, items featured and details, visit www.christmashouse. leesburgpartnership.com. Call 352.365.0053 for more information. Leesburg Boat Parade (December 2) Brightly lit and holidaydecorated boats parade around Venetian Gardens during this holiday boat parade. The parade starts at 7p.m. and will end at the Leesburg Boat Club. Christmas Potluck Dinner (December 2) Break out your favorite holiday recipe and join in the good cheer and fellowship at the annual holiday potluck dinner at the Tavares Civic Center. To RSVP, call Rosa or Linda at 352.742.6203 and indicate what dish you will provide. The dinner begins at 3 p.m., but please arrive early as the doors will close at 3:15p.m. Light Up Montverde (December 7) What can be better than snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa and watching Santa come to town? Montverde Academy select choir, along with local church groups, will present sounds of the season during this memorable holiday kick-off event, which starts at 6:30p.m. But don’t miss jolly old Saint Nicholas, who will be spreading Christmas candies to all the children before the lighting of the town tree. Girl Scouts will also be hosting a bonfire and selling s’mores kits. Additionally, chili and hot beverages will be available for purchase. Items collected on-site during the food and gift drives will be distributed back to the community. Santa Fun Run/Walk (December 8) Walk off some of those extra Thanksgiving pounds to benefit a great cause. The South Lake Rotary Club hosts this fun event. The first 150 paid entrants, 21 years of age and older, will receive a free Santa suit, and the first 100 paid entrants, ages 6–20, will receive a free Santa hat. Run or walk along Clermont’s beautiful Waterfront Park.
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To have an event considered for Lake & Sumter Style’s Calendar section, please send a short text description (along with a color photo, if possible) 60 days in advance to: email: Calendar@akersmediagroup.com fax: 352.323.8161 mail: Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749
Registration starts at 7:30a.m. Race starts 8:30a.m. Prizes will be presented for the top three male and three female finishers in each age group. Proceeds will benefit Rotary’s Global Polio Eradication program and local community needs. To register, visit www.southlakerotary.com/ santafunrun. Children’s Christmas in the Park (December 15) Enjoy a white Christmas at Donnelly Park in Mount Dora. Go snow sledding and feel the holiday spirit. Visit the park from 4-9p.m. For more information, contact Mount Dora Parks and Recreation at 352.735.7183. Florida Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K (December 15) Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Lake Lousia State Park in Clermont as you pound the pavement. The course includes rolling hills, paved roads, and trail running. Whether you are a seasoned runner or just beginning, there is a race for everybody. Costs are: $51 (half), $36 (10K), $21 (5K). Start time is 8a.m. Call Jami Bishop at 352.241.7144 or email jami.bishop@ orlandohealth.com for more information. Dade’s Battle (January 5-6) Travel back in time during this authentically reproduced reenactment of the 1835 battle at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell, which marked the beginning of the Second Seminole War. This event will feature cannon firing, tree cutting, barricade building, muskets and tomahawks, soldier and Seminole camps, food, and more. Admission is a $5 donation per person. Children 6-years-old and under get in free. For more information, call the park at 352.793.4781. Alzheimer’s Support Walk (January 26) The Alzheimer’s Family Organization sponsors its first ever local Alzheimer’s Family Support Walk at The Villages Polo Pavilion and Track located at
703 N. Buena Vista Blvd. Registration is 7:30 to 8:45a.m.; walks begin at 9a.m. Events include a golf cart rally, ¼-mile walk, 1½-mile walk, and raffles. Funds raised during the walk will help provide local families with various day-to-day forms of practical support, including respite care and education. For more information, call 1.888.496.8004 or 727.848.8888.
Music and Theatre She Loves Me (December 1-16) Melon Patch Players presents the musical “She Loves Me” continued from the month of November. Shop employees Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash who, despite being consistently at odds with each other at work, are unaware that each is the other’s secret pen pal met through lonely-hearts ads. Melon Patch Theatre is located in Leesburg, 311 N. 13th Street. For ticket information and show times, call 352.787.3013 or email info@melonpatch.org. A Tuna Christmas (December 1-16) In this hilarious sequel to Greater Tuna, it’s Christmas at Radio Station OKKK in the small, fictional town of Tuna, Texas. News personalities Thurston Wheelkis and Alres Struvie report on various yuletide activities, including the hot competition in the lawn display contest and Joe Bob Lipsey’s production of A Christmas Carol. Be prepared to laugh during their outrageously funny play. Moonlight Players Warehouse Theatre is located at 732 B West Montrose Street, Clermont. Public parking is available on Minneola Avenue. For more information, call 352.319.1116 or visit www. moonlightplayers.com. A Christmas Survival Guide (December 1-16) If you enjoyed The Bikinis, you’ll love this musical revue about the holiday season written by New York City-based producer Ray Roderick.
Armed with a copy of A Christmas Survival Guide and an optimistic attitude, the characters charge into an urban holiday landscape searching for the true essence of Christmas. In songs and vignettes, they learn to cope with the season in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming. The production is being staged at the Garden Theatre located at 160 West Plant Street, Winter Garden. For tickets or additional information, contact the Garden Theatre box office at 407.877.4736 or visit www. gardentheatre.org. The Winter Wonderettes (December 1-16) Cindy Lou, Missy, Suzy and Betty Jean are back harmonizing for the holidays to Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Jingle Bell Rock, Run, Rudolph, Run, Winter Wonderland and twenty other seasonal favorites. The Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse is located on 1100 N. Unser Street, Mount Dora. For tickets and information, call 352.383.3133, email jean@ icehousetheatre.com, or visit www. icehousetheatre.com. Christmas Eve Suites (December 6) The Florida Lakes Symphony presents an evening filled with beautiful Christmas carols; the Festival of Hannukkah, which honors the Jewish roots of Christmas; and the fabulous Nutcracker Suite, which stars the Mount Dora School of Ballet. This stellar performance begins at 7:30p.m. at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6803 Old Highway 441 South (Highland St.), Mount Dora. Tickets are $42 in advance and $45 at door. Students pay $15. Call Audrey Sanders at 352.589.1500 for more information.
Fairs and Festivals Cracker Christmas Parade and Festival (December 8) “Orange… you glad it’s Christmas!” is the festive theme this year for the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce’s 37th annual Cracker
Christmas Parade and Festival. The parade is scheduled for 9:30a.m. at Cadwell Park, 3 Cassady St., Umatilla. There will also be arts and crafts, pioneer artisans, delicious Southern snacks, photos with Santa, and live entertainment. For more information, call 352.669.3511 or visit www. umatillachamber.org. Wine and Chocolate Festival (December 8-9) Sip a bit of red wine and savor some rich dark chocolate as you peruse the work of local artists and crafters and enjoy live music by incredible bands on an outdoor stage. Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of food will be available for purchase, along with complimentary winery tours and wine tasting. $2 donation to benefit the American Heart Association. Call 352.394.8627 or visit www. lakeridgewinery.com.
Art/History Exhibits The Magic of Landscape (December 1-January 13) Stuart-based photographer Kevin Boldenow transports the mind of the viewer to a rich variety of different landscapes, some of them right here in Lake County. Lake Eustis Museum of Art: 200 B. East Orange Ave., Eustis. Call: 352.483.2900. Plein Air Exhibit (December 1-27) Experience the phenomenal artwork of Carol Platt and Susan Kiss at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, 138 East Fifth Avenue, Mount Dora. Hours are Monday – Friday 9a.m.–5p.m. For more information, call 352.383.0880.
Skip Maddox Golf Tournament (December 7) It is time for the annual Skip Maddox Memorial Golf Tournament at Miona Lake Golf Club in Wildwood. 12:30p.m. Shotgun start. Prizes, drawings, and barbecue dinner to follow; serving begins at 5p.m. For more information, contact Lester Lucas 352.303.8066 or email feedpro@hotmail.com. december2012
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Black Taxi Zach Deputy Bucky Covington Richard Marx Silversun Pickups Ballyhoo! Geoff Tate Metalocalypse: Dethklok Dan Deacon Flow Tribe Mr. Gnome Torche Tyler John Brown’s Body Jonathan Coulton Southern Culture On The Skids Crushed Out Iris DeMent Sum 41 Tyrone Wells Joe Bonamassa Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band Popa Chubby Damon Fowler Group New Found Glory Olivia Newton-John Ralphie May Stephen Lynch Jagermeister Presents Tour Marina And The Diamonds New Found Glory Olivia Newton-John Poverty Branch Ralphie May Olivia Newton-John Ralphie May Torche Trans-Siberian Orchestra Sage Francis Carrie Underwood Irrational R5 The Starting Line The Supervillains Amy Grant Amy Grant Amy Grant “Classic Albums Live” “Classic Albums Live” Michael Ray Corey Smith SOJA
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Will’s Pub The Abbey Rodeo Country Nightclub (Mount Dora) The Plaza Theatre Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live The West End (Sanford) The Social House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista) The Social Backbooth Will’s Pub The Social Ward The Plaza Theatre The Plaza Theatre The Beacham The Social Backbooth The Plaza Theatre House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista) The Social Bob Carr Perf. Arts Centre The Social The Alley (Sanford) Jessie’s (Winter Haven) The Social Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) The Improv Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live The Beacham The Social Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) Backbooth The Improv Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) The Improv The Social Amway Center The Plaza Theatre Amway Center The Social The Plaza Theatre House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista) Jessie’s (Winter Haven) Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) Epcot Center (Lake Buena Vista) Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista) House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista) House Of Blues (Lake Buena Vista)
GET ON THE
BUS SUPPORT LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS
The Educational Foundation of Lake County serves as the connection between our community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education. For information on how you can join our efforts please call 352-326-1265 or visit www.edfoundationlake.com
DINNER AND A MOVIE WRITTEN BY JAMES COMBS
It is movie night in downtown Leesburg. However, rather than sitting in a dark, enclosed movie theater, you and your friends sit comfortably outside in lawn chairs and on blankets. A gentle breeze blows across your face as you gaze skyward and admire the twinkling stars above. Moreover, your eating options aren’t limited to the standard movie theater fare of popcorn or nachos. Numerous food trucks parked along Main Street serve up imaginative dishes such as mango painted fish tacos, turkey and Swiss crepes, and homemade red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. This is the scene at the Leesburg Partnership’s Food Truck N’ Flick Night, a monthly event that allows attendees to enjoy a marvelous culinary and cinematic experience in one fun-filled evening. The inaugural event in September proved successful, as nearly 900 people showed up to watch the movie The Lorax and eat their fill of delicious food. “Several of the food trucks actually ran out of food, and one of them went through 150 pounds of lobster,”says Rachel O’Ryan, whose company O’RyanCordes Marketing helps organize the event. “This is another event in downtown Leesburg where people from 106
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surrounding areas can come and see everything the downtown area has to offer.” Jayson Tootle drove from Groveland to attend the inaugural festival with his wife, Heather, and daughter, Zoey. He plans on returning next month. “The food was very good, and everyone was having a good time with their children,” he says. “Lying on a blanket outdoors is a different yet fun way to enjoy a movie. To me, this event is a great way for families to spend quality time together.”
Mobile Munchies Food truck festivals are now big players in the culinary landscape. Food trucks are essentially mobile restaurants on wheels where trained chefs
Lying on a blanket outdoors is a different yet fun way to enjoy a movie. To me, this event is a great way for families to spend quality time together.
and cooks prepare and serve up gourmet fare. “Food trucks are very trendy and edgy, and that is the reason we wanted to bring an event like this to Leesburg,” says Joe Shipes, executive director of the Leesburg Partnership. “People who attended the September event all raved about the food. I heard no complaints.” For the record, food trucks differ from food vendors you typically see at county fairs. “Food trucks do not serve carnival food; they serve specialized, high-quality gourmet food,” Joe says. “The chefs and cooks prepare each meal on-site. Because of that, you are going to have to wait in line, but the wait is definitely worth it.” Joe includes a diverse mix of food truck companies so attendees are sure to find something that pleases their palettes. For instance, Dixieland Diner offers seafood d gumbo and lobster bisque; Kona Dog servess up a quarter-pound hot dog with coconut fruit sauce and mango mustard; Crooked Spoon makes a popular Angus beef burger with honey mustard aioli, candled bacon, pineapple relish, and Swiss cheese; and Bem Bon cooks up an appetizing pin-pin marinated chicken. Anyone desiring dessert can visit the Yum Yum Cupcake truck and order homemade cupcakes featuring
names like Cherry Poppins, S’mores Please, and Dough Dough Bird. Other food selections include lobster hoagies, marinated filet mignon, flatbread, and a cranberry turkey sandwich. In addition, numerous concession stands are set up throughout downtown so adults can enjoy alcoholic beverages.
Come on Down The next Food Truck N’ Flick Night is being held December 8th, starting at 5:30p.m. The featured movie will be Elf, a Christmas-themed comedy starring Will Ferrell, and will be shown on a twenty-four-foot high outdoor movie screen in Town Square. The movie will begin at dusk. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Also, be sure to bring an appetite because there could be as many as twelve food trucks present.
Future Dates for Food Truck N’ Flick Night: January 12th April 13th July 13th February 16th May 11th August 10th March 16th June 8th
For more information, contact the Leesburg Partnership at 352.365.0053.
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BRA
ON, MO S N
Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MARY ANN DESANTIS. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANSON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU.
“Welcome to Branson; we hope you enjoy your stay,” the friendly airline ground crew repeated to every passenger who stepped off the plane just outside the airport’s lodge-like terminal. The cool mountain air certainly seemed to hasten the holiday spirit in this southern Missouri town. Christmas celebrations extend for two months in Branson from November 1st until January 1st, but the storybook setting is permanent. Deer tracks in cement led me to baggage claim; a log cabin in a corner of the terminal was really a general store filled with colorful candies I remembered from my childhood; and the lyrics from Over the River and Through the Woods echoed in my head as I drove down from the mountaintop airport through a picture-perfect forest. The real magic began when I crossed the White River, which really isn’t a river any longer since it was dammed at both ends to create Table Rock Lake on the west and Lake Tanneycomo to the east. Disney World has nothing on Branson, which has created a Christmas fantasyland like none I have ever seen. Millions of Christmas lights created a glistening winter wonderland in this city, which has been included on so many “best-places-to-spend-theholidays” lists that it would take a page to name them all. Year-round entertainment, though, put Branson on the map. A 1991 60 Minutes show aired about the community’s few dozen theaters. Before long, Andy Williams opened his Moon River Theater, and others 108
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followed including Tony Orlando, the Osmond Brothers, and Charley Pride. Today, more than fifty theaters offer family-friendly live shows from morning to evening at ticket prices far less than you’ll find in Las Vegas or New York. In the past, when my parents talked about Branson, I mistakenly thought the shows would be hokey. Not so. The productions I saw were slick extravaganzas with talented performers who could go anywhere in the world and make a living. My recommendations for can’t-miss shows include multitalented Shoji Tabuchi at his posh theater and spellbinding aerialist Janice Martin at the Showboat Branson Belle. The younger generation will find Branson isn’t just for their parents. Lively shows like The Legend of Kung Fu and 12 Irish Tenors target new audiences of all ages. No holiday trip to Branson is complete without spending time at Silver Dollar City. An Old-Time Christmas festival transforms the 1880s-style theme park into a Christmas paradise with 1,000 decorated trees, parades, and millions of lights that are synchronized to holiday songs. Last year, I saw the park’s Broadway-style production of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, which featured pyrotechnic special effects, elaborate sets, and an extremely talented cast. This year, Silver Dollar City has added a musical interpretation of It’s a Wonderful Life, which is already getting rave reviews. And, of course, Santa Claus makes a spectacular appearance during the
nightly Christmas parades. Throw in Silver Dollar City’s culinary arts classes, craftsmen demonstrations, and five roller coasters, and it’s easy to spend more than a day inside the park. Missing the Trail of Lights at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Outdoor Theatre, however, would be a mistake. The Shepherd of the Hills marks the spot where Ozark tourism was born in 1907 when Harold Bell Wright’s book about the area was published and became the first American novel to reach a million copies sold. The Travel Channel named the 2.5-mile trail as the most spectacular drive-through light display in America. It’s also a great place to learn how this former logging community became the live entertainment capital of the world. Finally, spend some time downtown where residents in cafés and shops prove that Branson’s friendliness extends all year, not just during the holidays. Even with traffic jams comparable to those in larger metropolitan cities, Branson’s residents manage to keep a sense of humor. After a whirlwind four days of shows, amusement parks, cooking classes, and even a round of golf at the Payne Stewart Golf Course, I boarded my flight home. I was tired but brimming with Christmas spirit. As I looked out the plane’s window, the ground crew was lined up and waving goodbye — a perfect ending to my storybook trip. For more information, visit www.explorebranson.com and www.silverdollarcity.com.
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Our House is Almost Full!
Don’t miss out on the retirement lifestyle of your dreams. At Freedom Pointe at The Villages, you’ll find maintenance-free living with chef-prepared meals, clubs and recreational activities, housekeeping and much more. Visit our community and see firsthand the fabulous lifestyle that awaits you today. Then... choose your condominium and enjoy life.
Call 1-866-612-8225 to schedule your personal visit. > Ìi > Vi ÀiiÊ Û }ÊUÊ,iVÀi>Ì Ê iv *Ài«>Ài`Ê i> ÃÊUÊ6 >}iÊ i Ì iÃ
Wall of Florida “Wall of Florida...Art in Architectural Design” is an exhibition preserved from the Citizens National Bank building and will be open in our gallery through December 7. What a Character! CFA Honors.Joyce Huey, “What a Character!” te er!” On Friday, January 11, the Leesburg Center err fo for or the the Arts will honor Joyce Huey for her contributions buti utions ons to our community. Along with friends and ffamily, a ly, ami ly join us for an evening of roasting Joyce, enjoying njoyi nj oyi yiing ng cocktails and a dinner catered by Chef Victor cttor o or Donahey of Vic’s Embers Supper Club, livee andd silent auction items, and live art performances at the Leesburg Center for the Arts. For tickets and information, contact the Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe at 352.435.9107.
For more information call
352.365.0232
www.leesburgcenter4arts.com 110
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Life before death
“Our daughter Tracie Lemasters was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. After intensive rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, we all thought she had it beat.” Tracie went on with her life, giving birth to her beautiful daughter Monica in 1996. In 2004, Tracie became pregnant again and began having unusual symptoms, which doctors attributed to the pregnancy. Two weeks after delivering our grandson Brice and following further testing, her physician discovered Tracie’s breast cancer had metastasized throughout her body. At only 37 years of age, with an 8-yearold daughter and a 2-week-old son, our beautiful daughter Tracie was told her condition was terminal. “At the time, Tracie lived in Nashville, GA, and we moved her here to live with us in The Villages. In the past, my husband Gary and I had a very positive experience with hospice during the death of his best friend,
“The care they provided was beyond anything we could ever have expected. They weren’t just doctors, nurses, aides, and therapists — they became our friends.” and we immediately called them to have Tracie evaluated. They accepted her instantly and began home care. “The care they provided was beyond anything we could ever have expected. They weren’t just doctors, nurses, aides, and therapists — they became our friends. “For example, even with excellent pain management, Tracie’s illness left her with muscle soreness. The massage therapist came in and massaged Tracie for two hours every day. As the disease progressed, (and I consider this to be a testament to the entire
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staff’s dedication and consideration), the therapist even came on weekends — on her own personal time — to massage Tracie and help her maintain her quality of life. This same therapist even took the time to purchase gifts for Monica with her own money. That is more than dedication — that is compassion and friendship. “Cornerstone Hospice’s homecare program allowed Tracie to live at home with us and her children. I cannot express how wonderful that time was for all of us. We sat up late and reminisced about our lives together and shared our innermost thoughts and feelings. When Tracie could no longer hold Brice to feed him, Gary and I would get up with her to assist in the feeding, and then we would all sit in our living room and talk late into the night. “The entire hospice staff who came to our home were all so wonderful: Tracie’s unwavering faith in God
was such an important part of her life, and she looked forward to every visit from the chaplain. The nurses and aides went above and beyond what we would ever have expected. The social worker helped Tracie file for disability and medical financial assistance, taking care of the massive amount of paperwork and making sure everything went smoothly. They were all so professional and caring. “Hospice also provided counseling for our entire family, including children’s counseling for Monica. They were so well-prepared to meet all our needs in such a hard time. “We were all surprised when in late November the hospice physician examined Tracie and told her it was time for her to enter the Cornerstone Hospice House. They compassionately told us it was a matter of just a couple of weeks until the end, and we just couldn’t imagine that. At first Tracie was reluctant; she didn’t want to leave
“To me, Cornerstone Hospice stands as an oasis of individualized care for patients and families.” — LEAH JACKSON, CLINICAL LIAISON
“Hospice patients are my passion. I wish the referral to Cornerstone Hospice would come sooner. We could truly improve the quality of life of the patients and families we serve.”
Monica and Brice. But she knew it was for the best and on December 2, 2004, we drove her to the hospice house. “Imagine our surprise when the entire staff was on hand to welcome her. All the nurses, aides, the chaplain, even administrative workers were waiting to greet her and make her feel at home. That meant so much to Tracie and all of us. “Once Tracie moved in, it became a way-of-life for us. We feel the great treatment they provided for our wonderful daughter helped prolong her life, as we shared another eight weeks with our beloved Tracie. “During this time, Monica would come home from school each day and go straight to the hospice house, where she would sit in the common area and do her homework. Tracie’s brothers came from their faraway homes and spent time with their sister. Gary and I became fixtures, making friends with the families of
“Living is enjoying family and friends every day we are alive. Cornerstone Hospice allows us to do everything we can to ensure this for our patients and their families.” — JAN RUSSELL, CLINICAL LIAISONFACILITY COORDINATOR
— LOU ACUFF, RN, CHPN, EXECUTIVE MANAGER ACCESS
Cornerstone Hospice’s community outreach staff; from left to right, Lolita Sergio, Dana Ikensaa, Jan Russell, Lou Acuff, Cheryl Rumbley, Leah Jackson, Julia Allen, and Isaac Deas.
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other hospice clients and the amazing staff. “Speaking of amazing staff, a group of nurses decided to take Tracie to lunch one day. Tracie only had pajamas to wear, as that had become her daily dress. She voiced her concern to me, and I told her it would be fine, her pajamas looked very nice. It made her day, and mine, when we arrived at the restaurant to find every one of the nurses waiting for us — dressed in pajamas. “This incident is a prime example of what hospice really is. They are friends helping us to understand and cope with death. They are companions helping us to live the remainder of our lives to the absolute fullest extent possible. They are angels guiding us into that which is beyond. God bless all our friends at Cornerstone Hospice for allowing us such a wonderful experience with our loving daughter.”
“I am passionate about telling people they are entitled to at least six months of great care with us; not just a few days! Cornerstone Hospice took care of my mom 16 years ago, and I was so impressed that I knew I would work for hospice one day. Educating people and helping them through a difficult time is my gift to them. I love having a “Hospice Heart”!” — LOLITA “LITA” SERGIO, RN, CLINICAL LIAISON
“I often meet those who have been touched by Cornerstone Hospice when we assisted a family member. I am appreciative and deeply moved as they share their stories of how our staff blessed their lives and enhanced their loved ones’ final journey. I feel honored to represent this organization in the community.” — CHERYL RUMBLEY, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Q&A Isn’t hospice just for the last few days or weeks of life? No. There is a minimum of six months of hospice care. Cornerstone Hospice focuses on quality of life, not the length of time left to live. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine cites that those entering a hospice program earlier can add 30–60 days to their life— that is quality time because patients feel more like themselves. When someone feels better, they do better and when they do better, they live longer. National family/caregiver surveys repeatedly indicate, “I wish I had hospice help sooner.”
Hospice is just for the elderly, right? No. Cornerstone Hospice services are available to all individuals facing a lifelimiting illness and their families without regard to age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, cost of therapy, ability to pay, or life circumstances. Cornerstone Hospice does not impose any value or belief system on its patients or their families and respects those of its patients and their families.
Isn’t hospice just for cancer? No. Cornerstone Hospice cares for all
end-stage disease processes. Less than half of hospice patients have cancer. Cornerstone helps patients who are facing any life-limiting illness including but not limited to heart disease, debility, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), lung disease, and stroke.
Who pays for hospice? Cornerstone Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurances. Additionally, because we are a not-for-profit organization, our foundation provides support through the generosity of our community to help defray hospice costs. Also, if there is an immediate need identified by one of our team members, the foundation will assist with funds to help meet that patient’s need.
visit and assist in the coordination of care with the hospital staff. Patients may be admitted and receive Cornerstone Hospice services while they are in a contracted hospital.
What volunteer opportunities are there? Cornerstone Hospice professionallytrained volunteers are invaluable to our team. They can provide companionship to patients to give caregivers a break or offer vigil care for patients and families during the last hours of life. Our volunteers work with many of our outreach programs; such as Transitions, Cornerstone SALUTES!, and Pet Peace of Mind, as well as provide fundraising and office assistance.
What is Cornerstone SALUTES? Does Cornerstone Hospice provide chemotherapy?
Cornerstone participates in the National Hospice’s WE HONOR VETERANS initiative. Our staff is specially trained to meet the specific needs of veterans. It is a tailor-made pinning ceremony by a veteran for the veteran patient and family to say, “Thank you.”
Yes, if it is for comfort measures and is appropriate for the patient’s individualized plan of care. Cornerstone Hospice may cover many palliative interventions after considering the benefit to the patient.
What happens in the hospital?
Who’s going to help with my pet?
When Cornerstone Hospice patients are hospitalized, our clinicians in the hospital
Cornerstone Hospice Pet Peace of Mind volunteers walk dogs, feed pets, and
Since 1984, Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit, healthcare organization has provided comfort care rather than curative treatment for seriously ill patients and their families when life expectancy is measured in months, not years. The miracle of hospice isn’t in the cure… but in the caring. Hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care, respecting patient choices, dignity, and control. Hospice never takes ce away hope, but rather provides peace and comfort. Hospice d, focuses on the entire patient and family holistically — mind, ibody, and spirit — addressing physical, emotional, and spirig tual needs. Hospice recognizes the normal process of living e. and focuses on maintaining the best possible quality of life. Cornerstone Hospice — life before death.
provide transportation to veterinary visits or groomers. We were the first hospice in Florida to introduce Pet Peace of Mind, which enables hospice patients to keep their pets at home with them throughout their end-of-life journey. This program provides helping hands and financial assistance so caring volunteers are able to help patients with pet care needs.
How long does the grief support last? Cornerstone Hospice provides bereavement care for 18 months to ensure that loved ones adequately work through the grief process. Community bereavement is also offered to anyone who has experienced a loss of a loved one, even if that loved one was not a hospice patient.
Who can refer patients to hospice? Anyone, including the patient. Cornerstone will follow up with a physician for certification on any referral made by someone other than a physician.
5019096
2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, vaare ress, FFLL 32 3277 32778 7788 cornerstonehospice.org 352.343.1341
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A PAs role in
pain management Central Florida Pain Management provides quality, compassionate medical care on a personalized level to each individual patient. They do this by utilizing highly trained and experienced providers, both physicians and physicians’ assistantants. PAs, a mid-level provider through their experience and training, assist the physicians on the supervision and monitoring of patients on chronic medication management. They are licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine under close physician supervision. Much like physicians, PAs perform medical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, initiate and manage treatment plans, counsel patients on all aspects of preventive healthcare, and prescribe medications. They are trained to work closely with physicians and complement physi physician care in all respects.
The most rewarding part of my job is bringing relief from pain to people, especially to people who didn’t have much hope and thought the pain was something they would have to live with for the rest of their life.” — PA Ryan Doggett
Central Florida Pain Management has two experienced PAs on staff to assist our physicians. Ms. Agda Hart, PA-C has worked at our Ocala office for the past seven years. She received her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and her PA degree at Baylor College in Houston, Texas. Mr. Ryan Doggett, PA-C has worked at The Villages office for four years. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia and master’s at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All the staff of Central Florida Pain Management work to ensure the highest quality of pain management services in the area.
I like working in pain management because people come to me when they are at the end of their rope, and I can really make a difference. I want to ensure my patients regain their quality of life.” — PA Agda Hart
Scan the QR code to see a video profile off some of our doctors.
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